Seoul, South Korea –
South Korean artists including Bong Joon-ho, director of the Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” have called for a thorough investigation into the death of Lee Sung-kyun, a popular actor who played the role of the head of a wealthy family in a class satirical film.
Mr Lee, 48, was found dead in his car on December 27 after weeks of intensive police investigation into suspected drug use. It is believed to be a suicide.
At a nationally broadcast press conference on Friday, Bong and other artists, writers, performers and producers explained why police had repeatedly summoned Lee in front of television cameras and inappropriately shared information about the investigation with the media. He doubted that the information may have been leaked. They also questioned whether the media had overly sensationalized coverage of Lee’s personal life, which was unrelated to the drug investigation.
“We urge the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether there were any issues with the security of (information) during the police investigation,” the statement said.
South Korean director Bong Joon-ho reacts during a press conference calling for an investigation into the incident surrounding the death of late actor Lee Sung Kyun on Friday, January 12, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-)Jun)
They said Mr Lee had been subjected to “serious character assassination” during his lifetime and called for law changes to protect human rights in criminal investigations.
Police were investigating Mr Lee for allegedly using illegal drugs at the home of a bar hostess. According to South Korean media, Lee claimed he was tricked into taking the drug and did not know what it was.
The investigation led to extensive tabloid coverage of Lee and unconfirmed rumors about his personal life spread online. Lee filed a lawsuit accusing the hostess and two others of extortion.
“Parasite” won the 2020 Oscar for Best Picture and three other categories. It was the first non-English film to win Best Picture in the history of the Academy Awards, and the first Korean film to win an Oscar.
Lee Min-ho, who has long been a popular actor in South Korea, was nominated for the International Emmy Award for Best Actor last year for his performance in the sci-fi thriller “Doctor Brain.”
Actor Lee Sun-gyun gets out of his car after arriving at the Incheon Metropolitan Police Department in Incheon, South Korea, Saturday, December 23, 2023 (Song Hyung-kyu/Yonhap News, Associated Press)
South Korea has strict drug laws and has long had one of the highest suicide rates in the developed world. Celebrity suicides are occurring one after another, including K-pop stars, prominent politicians, and business executives. Many celebrity suicides are blamed on malicious and abusive online comments and severe cyberbullying.
