Renowned South Korean film director Bong Joon-ho and other entertainment industry leaders are demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the recent death of actor Lee Sun-kyun. Lee, who starred in Bong’s Oscar-winning film Parasite, was found dead in his home last week from an apparent suicide. His death has shocked the nation and raised intense scrutiny over how the case was handled by authorities.
Sudden Tragedy Prompts Outcry
According to police reports, the 46-year-old Lee was discovered unconscious in his Seoul apartment on January 8th after his manager requested a welfare check when Lee missed a scheduled appointment. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. The cause of death was reported as cardiac arrest from an overdose of prescription drugs and alcohol. A suicide note was allegedly found at the scene.
While police quickly ruled Lee’s death an apparent suicide and closed the case, Bong Joon-ho and other directors, actors and entertainment professionals are demanding a more thorough investigation into the circumstances behind Lee’s tragic end.
In a joint statement published on January 12th and signed by over 30 industry leaders, the group condemned what they see as “hasty conclusions” by the police and sensationalized coverage by some media outlets. They called for authorities to bring in independent experts to re-examine key evidence and ensure no critical information related to Lee’s final days was overlooked.
Mounting Controversies Before and After Death
Lee’s death came little over a month after he became embroiled in a drug use scandal when he was accused by an entertainment news reporter of purchasing illegal hallucinogens. He quickly admitted to the facts of the allegations and apologized for his behavior, after which no charges were filed.
In their recent statement, Bong Joon-ho and the other signatories implied a connection between the scandal, which they blamed on “trial by media,” and Lee’s fragile emotional state in the lead-up to his suspected suicide.
| Quick Timeline |
|-|
| Early December | Lee accused by reporter of buying hallucinogens |
| December 13 | Lee admits to allegations, apologizes at press conference |
| January 8 | Lee found unconscious in apartment, pronounced dead at hospital |
| January 12 | Bong Joon-ho issues joint statement demanding new investigation |
More controversies arose in the aftermath of Lee’s death. Unconfirmed reports that a suicide note mentioned difficulties with drugs and depression were soon propagated by some news outlets, despite denials from the police that such a note existed. The leak of an alleged photo showing Lee’s body at the autopsy table also sparked outrage.
Lee’s agency Hoduu Entertainment has strongly denied all unverified claims and has pursued legal retaliation, most recently filing a defamation lawsuit against the reporter who broke the initial drug allegations. Nevertheless, the circulation of unproven rumors has reinforced perceptions of a bungled police response and lack of respect towards both the deceased and his grieving family.
Call to Prevent Similar Tragedies
Bong Joon-ho rocketed to global fame after Parasite became the first non-English film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 2020. Lee’s nuanced performance as the patriarch of a working-class family in the genre-bending thriller earned widespread acclaim. Their now-shared status as icons of Korean cinema lends particular weight to Bong and the other signers’ demands for accountability over the investigation into Lee’s death.
The joint statement characterized Lee’s case as “only the latest incident” amidst what it described as a spiraling drug and suicide crisis in the high-pressure entertainment industry. It called for thorough investigations, privacy protections and mental health resources to prevent similar tragedies among vulnerable artists and celebrities.
With police refusing requests to reopen the case but public pressure continuing to mount, the controversy seems far from resolution. The Talent Management Committee, which promotes entertainer rights, also plans to soon join the calls for an independent inquiry separate from the police. As demands for action and change echo beyond the celebrity ranks into broader society, many eyes remain fixed on the tragic death of an actor that has become a flashpoint for long-brewing crises.
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