'The Disappointing Finale of "Trustworthy Actor" Lee Sun-kyun'

Unwarranted Reports and Criticism Topple the Tower Built with Effort
A Typical Late Bloomer Who Overcame Long Years of Obscurity
Beloved for Works Like 'Gisaengchung' and 'Naui Ajusshi'
Struggled with Pressure After Drug Use Allegations Emerged

He proved himself to be a trusted actor, but no longer can we expect new works from him. He was effectively socially murdered. This is the last image of Lee Sun-kyun (48), who passed away on the 27th. This year, two films starring him were invited to the Cannes International Film Festival, marking a promising path, but in October he came under investigation for drug use allegations. Trapped by indiscriminate reports and criticism, he destroyed the tower he had painstakingly built himself.

Born in 1975, Lee Sun-kyun graduated from the Korea National University of Arts' School of Drama. He appeared in the musical Rocky Horror Picture Show and the music video for Bijou's It's Okay, before debuting on television with the sitcom Lovers. Feeling his acting was insufficient, he gained experience by taking minor roles in various films such as Run, Papa, Run, Surprise, If You Have a Good Person, Introduce Me, and Scent of Chrysanthemums.

His performances in the drama Taereung National Village and the film Apple caught the attention of broadcast producers. He received diverse acting opportunities, and in 2007, both the dramas White Tower and Coffee Prince gained popularity, elevating him to lead and supporting roles. In the former, he portrayed Dr. Choi Do-young, a physician with strong professional ethics, and in the latter, musician Choi Han-sung, securing widespread public recognition.

His unique acting was more than enough to take on leading roles. He solidified his name by consecutively hitting hits with dramas like Pasta and Golden Time. His success continued in Chungmuro (Korean film industry) as well. He left a strong impression and became a box office guarantee with films such as Petty Romance, Helpless, All About My Wife, and A Hard Day. He also appeared in independent films directed by Hong Sang-soo, including Oki's Movie and Our Sunhi, dispelling concerns about stereotyped acting.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In 2019, Lee Sun-kyun gained global recognition by playing Park Dong-ik in director Bong Joon-ho's film Parasite. The film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes International Film Festival that year and took home four Academy Awards (Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, and International Feature Film). Around that time, he also received much love on television. The drama My Mister, in which he starred alongside IU, created a diverse fan base and sparked a phenomenon. During his lifetime, Lee said, "I am usually harsh on my acting, but I really liked My Mister. It can be said to represent people in their 40s."

This year, he reached the peak of his acting career but then plummeted vertically. In the first half of the year, the films Escape: Project Silence and Sleep, both starring him, were invited to the Cannes Film Festival, where he walked the red carpet. His wife, actress Jeon Hye-jin, and their two sons were with him. They projected a harmonious family atmosphere, having appeared in several family-centered advertisements. However, the fact that he was under investigation for drug use was indiscriminately reported, turning support and love into criticism and disdain.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Sun-kyun was summoned three times by the police for investigation on charges related to marijuana and psychotropic substances under the Narcotics Control Act. Both preliminary reagent tests and detailed analyses by the National Forensic Service returned negative results. On the 26th, through his lawyer, he submitted a statement requesting a polygraph test. However, his privacy was severely violated as phone conversations with A (29), a manager at an entertainment establishment, were released on YouTube and other platforms, causing him psychological distress. On that day, he was found dead in a park in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

※ If you or someone around you is struggling with difficult issues such as depression, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling through the Suicide Prevention Hotline ☎1393, Mental Health Counseling ☎1577-0199, Lifeline ☎1588-9191, Youth Hotline ☎1388, the youth mobile counseling app 'Da Deureojul Gae', KakaoTalk, and other platforms.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.