Lee Sun Kyun death: Drugs case, cheating allegations | All you need to know

South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, known for movies like Parasite and A Hard Day, died at the age of 48. The actor, who was facing drug abuse charges, was reportedly found dead in a car in Seoul in South Korea's Jongno District earlier today (December 27). South Korean media reported that the local police suspect suicide.

Lee Sun-kyun’s drug case

Lee was being investigated for the alleged use of marijuana and other psychoactive drugs.
He had been questioned three times by police this year, including for 19 hours last Saturday, December 23. The actor had said he was tricked into taking drugs by a bar hostess, who he claimed was blackmailing him. "I inhaled using a straw through my nose but thought it was a sleeping pill. I didn't know it was a drug," Lee had said, JTBC reported. Lee stated that he had lost several hundred thousand dollars to the hostess who is one of the other accused parties in the same case. 

Lee had failed two drug tests: a police fast reagent test and a National Forensic Service lab-based test, that he underwent this year, Yonhap, a Korean news agency had reported. However, the hostess who accused Lee of taking drugs at her apartment, stood by her assertions. Subsequently, on Tuesday, Lee had asked that a lie-detector test be conducted by the police to determine the truth.

South Korea has tough drug laws, and drug crimes are typically punishable by at least six months in prison or up to 14 years for repeat offenders and dealers.

What did Lee say about the investigation?

In October, before interrogation at the Incheon police station, Lee had addressed the media briefly. As per a Guardian report, he said, "I sincerely apologise for causing great disappointment to many people by being involved in such an unpleasant incident." "I feel sorry for my family, which is enduring such difficult pain at this moment."

What did the police say about Lee Sun-kyun's death?

A News1 Korea report stated that the police regretted Lee's untimely demise. But they clarified that the investigation was "conducted with [his] consent".

Lee Sun-kyun’s cheating allegations

Amid the ongoing investigation, Lee also made headlines for allegedly cheating on his wife. According to Kpoppost, an image of Lee and his Parasite co-star Cho Yeo Jeong sharing a hug at a promotional event went viral online in October, capturing the public's interest.

This picture set off a flurry of rumours and discussion. Its concerns extended well beyond the realm of celebrity rumours, touching on matters of public image, personal integrity, and the fine line that separates a celebrity's private behavior from their career. He was removed from several projects including the mystery thriller TV show No Way Out.

Following Lee Sun-kyun’s death announcement, fans took to the internet to vent their fury. They claimed that the actor didn't deserve any of the scrutiny and bullying over rumours. They suggested that his death was the result of the severe criticism he faced in by the general public of South Korea.