By HYUNG-JIN KIM
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SEOUL, South Korea (AP)– Lee Sun-kyun, a popular South Korean star best understood for his function in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” was discovered dead in a cars and truck in Seoul on Wednesday, authorities stated, after weeks of an extreme cops examination into his supposed substance abuse.
Cops and emergency situation officers at first discovered Lee in what they thought was an unconscious state in the parking area on a street in northern Seoul. Emergency situation officers later on validated he was dead, according to Seoul’s Seongbuk police headquarters.
Cops had actually been looking for Lee, 48, after getting a report that he was missing out on.
They declined to supply more information consisting of whether they had actually figured out Lee eliminated himself. South Korean media outlets consisting of Yonhap news firm stated that Lee’s household previously Wednesday reported to cops that he left home after leaving a message comparable to a suicide note.
Lee appeared in “Parasite,” which won Oscars for finest image and 3 other classifications in 2020. The class satire was the very first non-English-language movie to win finest photo in the then-92-year history of the Academy Awards, and was the very first South Korean motion picture to win an Oscar. In the movie, Lee played the head of a rich household.
The movie’s cast, consisting of Lee, likewise won a Screen Actors Guild award for the very best movie ensemble cast in 2020. He was chosen for finest star at the International Emmy Awards for his efficiency in the sci-fi thriller “Dr. Brain” last year.
Even before “Parasite,” Lee had actually been a popular star in South Korea for a long period of time. He increased to fame for his function in a struck television drama series, “Coffee Prince (2007 ),” and got mainstream appeal with a series of struck television dramas such as “Behind The White Tower (2007 ),” “Pasta (2010 )” and “My Mister (2018 ).”
Lee had actually been under an authorities examination into accusations that he utilized controlled substances at the home of a bar person hosting. Lee insisted he was deceived into taking the drugs which he did not understand what he was taking, according to Yonhap. The examination triggered substantial tabloid protection and unofficial online reports about not just his declared drug usage however likewise his personal life. Lee submitted a fit versus 2 individuals consisting of the person hosting, declaring they blackmailed him.
When he was very first summoned for questioning at a police headquarters in Incheon, a city near Seoul, in late October, he deeply bowed a number of times and asked forgiveness to his fans and household. “I regret to my relative who are withstanding too challenging discomforts at this minute. I once again all the best ask forgiveness to everybody,” he stated.
Incheon cops stated Wednesday they would end their examination of Lee’s substance abuse claims however would continue to examine the 2 individuals Lee had actually taken legal action against.
South Korea has stringent anti-drug laws however has actually seen skyrocketing drug-related offenses in the last few years.