Parasite actor Lee Sun-kyun found dead at age 48

The star of Oscar-winning film Parasite has died after he was found unconscious at a park in Seoul.

Actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his acclaimed role in Oscar-winning film Parasite, has been found dead, according to reports.

The 48-year-old was found unconscious in a car at a park in central Seoul on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, police received a report from the actor’s wife that a suicide note was found at his home and they began to search for him.

Lee had been under investigation for illegal drug use since October. According to reports, the star claimed that he was tricked into taking drugs.

Lee had been questioned three times by police, including for 19 hours over the weekend.

South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun has been found dead in an apparent suicide. He was 48-years-old. Picture: Angela Weiss / AFP

Lee Sun-kyun promoting Parasite in 2019. Picture: Loic Venance / AFP

Director Bong Joon-Ho (from left) with actors Choi Woo-shik, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong and Chang Hyae-jin. Picture Loic Venance / AFP

Lee is reported to have visited Seoul’s Gangnam district on multiple occasions since early this year, including last Saturday, where he allegedly took drugs.

The actor reportedly said he was tricked into taking drugs by a bar hostess, who then tried to blackmail him, according to Hollywood Reporter.

Drug offences, including those involving usage of marijuana, are considered serious crime in South Korea. Consumption of marijuana carries prison sentences of up to five years.

Tributes have poured in for the actor following the tragic news.

“Awful news. Lee Sun-kyun was one of the best actors working in Korean cinema,” one fan wrote. “He was wonderful in Parasite. South Korea has serious problems with suicide. This is unfortunately an all too common story for many celebrities in that country.”

“I just watched recently him in Payback too. This is too tragic,” another fan said.

“He was amazing in Parasite and Hard Day. This is extremely tragic,” someone else wrote. “He was such a great talent in everything I’ve seen him in, but I can’t even think up any tribute because all I can think of is the tragic and heartbreaking circumstances leading up to his death and how this road is such a common story you hear from the industry,” another fan tweeted.

He starred as Park Dong-ik in Parasite, the father in the wealthy Park family which was later infiltrated by members of a poor family.

Police found the body of Sun-kyun in a car following a search after his family reported him missing. Picture: Yonhap / AFP

Police pictured at the scene. Picture: Yonhap / AFP

Sun-kyun was a huge star in South Korea. Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP.

The critically acclaimed film swept awards at the Oscars in 2020, including best picture. It was the first non-English language film to win the prize.

In 2021, the Hollywood star won a Screen Actors Guild award for “cast in a motion picture” for his role. He was nominated for the best actor at the International Emmy Awards for his performance in the sci-fi thriller Dr. Brain last year.

Lee was a familiar figure on Korean screens for decades before his Parasite fame. He became well-known for his role in a popular drama series, Coffee Prince, and gained mainstream popularity with the medical drama Behind The White Tower, followed by Pasta and My Mister.