“Parasite” actor Lee Sun-kyun, who was found dead of an apparent suicide earlier this week, was remembered at a private funeral in South Korea on Friday. The service took place at Seoul National University Hospital’s funeral home.
Lee’s actress wife, Jeon Hye-jin, appeared devastated as she cried while holding hands with her younger son, as her eldest carried a portrait of the late actor.
Mourners took part in a procession at the service and also paid their respects by sticking memos on a wall. “Now please rest in peace,” one read.
According to reports, Lee will be cremated and his remains will be placed at a memorial park in Gwangju. An official cause of death has not been confirmed.
Lee and the former Miss Korea contestant married in 2009. On Wednesday, she called police after finding a suicide note from her husband.
As the Post previously reported, Lee was found unconscious inside his car at a Seoul park on Wednesday. He was dead at the scene, and had a charcoal briquette next to him, which suggests he died from possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
Lee was being investigated for his alleged drug use weeks prior to his death, and had been interrogated by police on Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and Dec. 23.
He claimed he had been coerced into taking drugs such as marijuana by a bar hostess, who attempted to blackmail him. Lee apologized for “causing immense disappointment” during his first interrogation and was questioned for 19 hours on Dec. 23. Lee passed two drug tests during the police probe and also submitted to a polygraph test.
Lee’s lawyer had asked that his client’s interrogations be handled privately, as prohibitions on drug use are strictly enforced in South Korea. A person found guilty of violating the law can receive six months in jail, or as much as 14 years for repeat offenders and dealers.
“We can’t express how heartbroken and sad we feel,” his agency, Hodu & U Entertainment, said in a statement after his passing. “Please refrain from spreading speculation or false information [about him].”
The late star also exited the drama “No Way Out” amid the allegations in October, which was set to start shooting that month.
“Following an unfortunate incident last week with the actor Lee Sun-kyun, he expressed that it would take a considerable amount of time to sort out the current situation and that he will inevitably drop out,” the company behind the film, Studio X+U, announced in a statement, per the Hollywood Reporter.
The press release continued, “The company reached an agreement with Lee’s agency and respects the actor’s position. Shooting will continue as scheduled, and there will be no further delay.”
Lee was perhaps best known for playing the father of a wealthy family in 2019’s “Parasite,” which won Best Picture at the Oscars. He also starred in Apple TV+’s first Korean-language original series, “Dr. Brain,” in 2021.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
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