A group of South Korean filmmakers, actors, and industry officials, including Bong Joon-ho, the director of “Parasite”, have urged for an investigation into the handling of drug abuse allegations concerning late actor Lee Sun-kyun by the police and media. Lee, who gained global fame for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite”, was found dead in an apparent suicide last month.
Bong and other film, music, and entertainment industry figures held a news conference in Seoul, calling for authorities to look into whether police violated security and privacy rules in the handling of Lee’s case. Despite multiple negative drug tests, Lee’s reputation suffered due to incessant leaks about the investigation, and the media has been criticized for its sensationalist coverage.
“We call for a fact-finding probe into whether there were any security problems regarding the police investigation,” said Bong, reading a statement signed by more than 2,000 artists and 29 industry associations. Additionally, singer-songwriter Yoon Jong-shin questioned the sensational coverage of Lee’s private life by the press and media.
Incheon police, which investigated Lee, did not respond to calls. The chief denied violating security rules while expressing regret over Lee’s death. The harsh public nature of criminal investigations involving celebrities has reignited criticism from the entertainment industry and the public.
Yoon criticized a report by public broadcaster KBS for using a recording of Lee’s phone call with a bar hostess, questioning its intention and demanding that it be deleted. KBS defended its reporting, stating that the content was used with “maximum restraint” to uncover the facts of the case.
Before his death, Lee had made three highly publicized appearances before the police, denying knowingly taking illegal drugs and claiming he was tricked by the bar hostess who later blackmailed him. His death adds to the sad trend of South Korean artists and celebrities taking their own lives, often under intense pressure and media scrutiny. South Korea has the highest suicide rate among developed countries.
(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Sonali Paul and Mark Potter)
