SEOUL: South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known globally for his role in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite", was found dead in Seoul on Wednesday, police said.
The 48-year-old actor was found inside a vehicle parked on the street in the capital's mid-northern Seongbuk district, an official from the Seongbuk police station said.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported, citing police, that Lee had left a "note that reads like a will".
He had been under police investigation over his alleged use of marijuana and other drugs.
A series of entertainment industry events in South Korea were announced as cancelled on Wednesday in order to pay condolences to the late actor.
Filmmaker Byun Young-joo, who collaborated with Lee on her 2012 thriller "Helpless", honoured his memory by sharing a pitch-black image on her Instagram account.
Actress Claudia Kim, also known as Soo Hyun, wrote on the social media platform that Lee's death was "a loss of great talent" for the industry.
"Everyone deserves to be forgiven for their mistakes. Everyone deserves a second chance," she wrote.
- 'Praiseworthy in "Parasite"'-
Once celebrated for his wholesome image, local news outlets reported that the actor was being dropped from television and commercial projects following the scandal.
A graduate of South Korea's prestigious Korea National University of Arts, Lee made his acting debut in 2001 in a television sitcom titled "Lovers".
He later won acclaim for his performances in a variety of roles, including a charismatic chef and a genius neuroscientist who is incapable of empathy.
Lee received widespread critical acclaim for his performance in the 2018 TV drama series "My Mister", for his portrayal of a diligent architectural engineer.
Globally, he is best known for his role as the wealthy and shallow patriarch in director Bong Joon-ho's 2019 Oscar-winning film "Parasite".
He was also recognised for his performances in romance flicks, such as the 2007 TV drama "Coffee Prince" and the 2012 film "All About My Wife". Lee made appearances in South Korea's internationally acclaimed filmmaker Hong Sang-soo's movies, such as "Our Sunhi" (2013) and "Oki's Movie" (2010).
His latest released film, this year's horror flick "Sleep" -- in which he played a husband whose sleepwalking eventually leads to terrifying circumstances -- was well-received and featured in the Critics' Week section at the Cannes festival.
Devastated fans expressed their grief on social media, with one user writing on X: "I laughed and cried a lot while watching your acting. Thank you."
Renowned Korean-American writer Min Jin Lee also expressed her condolences. "Lee was praiseworthy in 'Parasite' and exceptional in 'My Mister,'" she wrote on Instagram. "May he be remembered for his excellent work and creative gifts."
Lee's reputation suffered a significant blow when South Korean authorities launched an investigation into his alleged drug use in October.
He had been suspected of using illicit drugs at the residence of a hostess employed at a high-end bar in Seoul.
According to Yonhap, the actor asserted that he was "tricked" by the hostess into consuming the drugs and was unaware of what they were.The Seongbuk police official said authorities believed his body had been taken to the Seoul National University Hospital.
Lee is survived by his wife, actress Jeon Hye-jin and two sons. - AFP
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