Exploring 'Parasite' star Lee Sun-kyun's inspiring legacy after actor kills himself amid drug probe
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: South Korean star Lee Sun-kyun, famed for his role in the Oscar-winning film ‘Parasite’, died in an apparent suicide on Wednesday, December 27, in his hometown in Seoul, South Korea.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
Lee was embattled in drug allegations for the last one year and had faced police probe for three times. Over the last weekend he was subjected to a police questioning that ran for 19 hours, per Reuters.
Who is Lee Sun-kyun’s wife?
After seven years of dating, Lee Sun-kyun married his actress-wife Jeon Hye Jin on May 23, 2009.
The couple went on to welcome two children with their first son being born on November 25, 2009. Their second son was born on August 9, 2011.
In 2012, Lee gushed about his wife Jeon during a promotional event for his film 'Everything About My Wife'.
In the film, the Korean star played the role of a timid husband who was scared to get a divorce from his decisive wife.
As he was asked whether his wife in real life resembled the fictional character Jung-in, Lee replied, "We are very happy. She's honest and direct, which resembles with 'Jung-in'."
He, nevertheless, continued, "She's different, because her words are short, but powerful," per Star N.
How did Lee Sun-kyun die?
Lee Sun-kyun was first reported missing on the morning of Wednesday, after which a search ensued, per Reuters.
Previously it was said that his wife filed a missing report after Lee left home after "writing a memo akin to a suicide note". Reuters later reported, however, it was his manager who reported the missing.
Korean news agency Yonhap reported that the actor was later found dead inside his car at a park in central Seoul at 10.30 am. A charcoal briquette was found on the passenger seat.
What was Lee Sun-kyun's net worth?
The multi-hyphenated star Lee Sun-kyu, who has had a prolific career spanning theater, movies, and TV series, was estimated to be about $17.7 million, per Bignamebio.
Lee Sun-kyun's legacy
Sun-kyun ruled the Korean entertainment industry with equal elan. He debuted by appearing in a music video 'It's OK' in 1999.
Lee made his debut in a TV series by appearing in 'Lovers' in 2002, and his film debut was with 'Psyucho Drama' of 2000. Lee was a popular name in Korean theater circuit and he made his debut with 'The Rocky Horror Show' in 2001.
Lee Sun-kyun gained significant international recognition through his starring role in Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning dark comedy 'Parasite'. The film went on to win four Academy Awards including best picture.
Lee played the role of the patriarch Park Dong-ik who hired the members of the Kim family to help in his household.
The film also became the first South Korean film to win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Lee,a long with the entire 'Parasite' cast, including Lee, won a Screen Actors Guild award for their outstanding performances.
His international acclaim in 'Parasite' landed him a coveted role in the first South Korean series of Apple TV+, 'Dr. Brain'. His exceptional performance won him a nomination at the 2022 International Emmy Awards.
Lee has starred in several hit South Korean TV projects including 'Diary of a Prosecutor', 'My Mister', 'Kingmaker', 'Payback' among others. His television breakthrough came with 2007'a 'White Tower' and he went on to star in 'Coffee Prince' in the same year.
He also starred in South Korean projects like 'Payback', 'Diary of a Prosecutor', 'My Mister', 'Killing Romance', 'Kingmaker' and many more in the 2000s and 2010s.
Born in Seoul in 1975, Lee studied drama at the Korea National University of Arts. He made his television breakthrough in the medical drama White Tower (2007) and was positively received in the youthful drama Coffee Prince (2007).
He also starred in 'Drama City', 'Pasta' (2010) and 'Miss Korea' (2013) through his collaboration with writer Seo Sook-hyang.
After a glorious run on television, he transitioned into feature films in 2012 and went on to star in Byun Young-joo’s psychological thriller 'Helpless', Min Kyu-dong’s romantic comedy 'All About My Wife'.
His other acting credits include three collaborations with Hong Sang-soo, including 'Night and Day' (2008), 'Oki’s Movie' (2010), and 'Nobody’s Daughter Haewon' (2013).
