Film director Bong Joon Ho is among a collective of Korean artists calling for a new investigation into the death of “Parasite” actor Lee Sun Kyun.
Lee was found unconscious inside his car at a park in Seoul on Dec. 26. His wife reportedly had found a note akin to a suicide note and reported it to police. Authorities pronounced Lee dead. He was 48.
Along with the note, the circumstances around the SAG Award-winning actor’s death had been tinged by allegations of previous drug use. Leading up to his death, Lee faced intense police questioning and threats over his suspected use of marijuana and other drugs that are illegal in South Korea. Lee said he was tricked into using the drugs.
Now, Bong — who collaborated with Lee on the 2020 Oscar-winning thriller “Parasite” — joins other Korean artists asking authorities for a new inquiry into the actor’s death.
“In the face of the tragic death of actor Lee Sun-kyun, we shared the same heart that this should never happen again,” the Assn. of Solidarity of Cultural Artists said Tuesday in a statement, according to the Korea Herald. “We will call for investigation officials’ probe to discover the truth, request media outlets to delete articles that do not fit their function as media, as well as urge authorities to revise the law to protect the human rights of artists.”
The collective includes Bong, songwriter Yoon Jong-shin, director Lee Won-tae, actor Choi Deok-moon and the head of the Producers Guild of Korea, Choi Jeong-hwa, the outlet said. A news conference is scheduled in South Korea on Friday.
The police investigation into Lee, which included 19 hours of questioning, seemed to take a toll. He had been nominated for best actor at the 2023 International Emmy Awards for his performance in the sci-fi thriller “Dr. Brain,” but amid the probe into his alleged drug use, the actor reportedly dropped out of the K-drama thriller series “No Way Out.”
Intense questioning over alleged drug abuse is not uncommon in South Korea, a country with strict drug laws and growing public concern over drug abuse.
At the same time as Lee’s drug probe, police were investigating K-pop star G-Dragon, Kwon Ji Yong of the band Big Bang, for alleged use of illicit drugs at a bar in Seoul in December 2022. The case was closed earlier this month after Kwon tested negative for drugs and police were unable to find enough evidence of drug use.
And last year, “Hellbound” and “Burning” actor Yoo Ah In was accused of illegally using drugs, including marijuana, propofol and cocaine. He underwent 21 hours of questioning by police in May.
Also surrounding Lee’s death is the possibility of suicide. Several South Korean celebrities have died by possible suicides in recent years, including pop singers Moonbin of the popular K-pop group Astro, Haesoo and Jonghyun, lead singer of the band SHINee.
Times staff writer Jeong Park and fellow Ashley Ahn contributed to this report.
