Lee Sun-kyun, a South Korean actor of the Oscar-winning film “Parasite”, was found dead, Yonhap news agency reported, citing police.
Born in 1975, he starred as a rich family’s father in “Parasite”, and also played leading roles in South Korean movies including the 2012 thriller “Helpless” and “All About My Wife” in 2014, among others.
The actor had been under investigation over illegal drug use allegations amid an ongoing government crackdown on illegal drugs.
The investigation was over his alleged use of marijuana and other psychoactive drugs.
He was found unconscious next to burning charcoal briquettes inside car at a park in Seoul this morning after his wife reported to police that he had left home and she had found what appeared to be a suicide note, Yonhap said.
Seoul’s Jongno police station did not immediately respond to phone calls.
Previously celebrated for his wholesome image, local news outlets reported that the actor was being dropped from television and commercial projects following his drug scandal.
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.
Mr Sun-kyun had been questioned three times by police, including for 19 hours over the weekend.
The actor had said he was tricked into taking drugs by a bar hostess who then tried to blackmail him, Yonhap reported.
As well as in film, the actor had the lead role in in a six-episode sci-fi thriller which was Apple TV+’s first Korean-language original series, “Dr. Brain”, that aired in 2021.
