Lee Sun-kyun of Oscar-winning Parasite found dead, South Korean officials say

Warning: This story contains references to suicide.

Lee Sun-kyun, a popular South Korean actor best known for his role in the Oscar-winning movie Parasite, was found dead in a car in Seoul on Wednesday after weeks of an intense police investigation into his alleged drug use.

Police and emergency officers initially found Lee in what they believed was an unconscious state in the car parked on a street in northern Seoul. Emergency officers later confirmed he was dead, according to Seoul's Seongbuk police station.

Lee had faced police questioning three times over accusations of illegal drug use amid a government crackdown, with one interview session running 19 hours over the weekend, Reuters reported.

Police had been searching for the 48-year-old after receiving a report he was missing, police said.

They refused to provide further details, including whether they had determined Lee killed himself. But South Korean media outlets, including Yonhap news agency, said Lee's family earlier Wednesday reported to police that he left home after leaving a message similar to a suicide note.

Lee's body was later transported to a nearby Seoul hospital, according to Seongbuk police.

Lee appeared in Parasite, which won Oscars for best picture and three other categories in 2020. The class satire was the first non-English-language film to win best picture in the then 92-year history of the Academy Awards, and was the first South Korean movie to win an Oscar. In the film, Lee played the head of a wealthy family.

The film's cast, including Lee, also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for the best motion picture ensemble cast in 2020. He was nominated for best actor at the International Emmy Awards for his performance in the sci-fi thriller Dr. Brain, Apple TV+'s first Korean-language original series.

Longtime Korean star

Even before Parasite, Lee had been a popular actor in South Korea for a long time. He rose to stardom for his role in a hit TV drama series Coffee Prince (2007), and gained mainstream popularity with the medical drama Behind The White Tower (2007), Pasta (2010) and My Mister (2018).

Lee had undergone police probes into allegations that he used illegal drugs at the residence of a bar hostess. Lee filed a suit against two people including the hostess, alleging they blackmailed him. The investigation prompted extensive tabloid coverage. Lee insisted he was tricked into taking the drugs and did not know what he was taking, according to Yonhap.

Infringements of South Korea's tough drug laws can lead to six months in jail, or up to 14 years for repeat offenders and dealers.

When he was first summoned for questioning at a police station in Incheon, a city near Seoul, in late October, he deeply bowed several times and apologized to his fans and family.

"I feel sorry to my family members who are enduring too difficult pains at this moment. I again sincerely apologize to everyone," he said.

Incheon police said Wednesday they would end their investigation of Lee but would continue to investigate the two people Lee had sued.

South Korea has seen soaring drug-related offences in recent years. Last week, the National Police Agency said it had detained about 17,150 people over alleged illegal drug manufacturing, smuggling, sales and uses this year — a record number for a single year.

South Korea has long had the highest suicide rate among developed countries. It has also experienced a string of celebrity suicides involving K-pop stars, prominent politicians and business executives. Experts say malicious and abusive online comments and severe cyberbullying were blamed for many of the celebrity suicides.

Lee's wife is award-winning actress Jeon Hye-jin. They have two children. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

• Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988.

• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.

• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.

• This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.