In a shocking turn of events, renowned Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun has been withdrawn from a film project, merely two months before his apparent suicide.
The late star of “Parasite” was set to grace the screen in the upcoming dark comedy “No Way Out,” a narrative revolving around the contract killing of a man recently released from a 13-year prison term. However, amidst a police investigation into his suspected drug use, Lee Sun-kyun opted to step down, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter.
In an October statement, Studio X+U, the film’s producer, acknowledged an unfortunate incident involving the actor and conveyed that, due to the ongoing situation, Sun-kyun would inevitably withdraw from the project. An agreement was reached with Lee’s agency, and the producer affirmed that shooting would proceed as planned without further delay.
Aside from “No Way Out,” Sun-kyun had two other projects awaiting release, namely “Project Silence” and “Land of Heaven.”
The actor’s life took a tragic turn when he was discovered unresponsive in a Seoul car park at the age of 48, with his death promptly declared at the scene. The presence of a charcoal briquette suggests a possible cause of death from carbon monoxide poisoning, although an official confirmation is still pending.
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Leading up to his untimely demise, Sun-kyun faced police inquiries regarding alleged drug use, including marijuana and ketamine, which he vehemently denied. Accusations arose just days before his death, with claims of drug ingestion at the residence of a hostess from a high-end Seoul bar, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. Sun-kyun asserted that he was unknowingly tricked into taking drugs and was a victim of blackmail.
Despite negative results in his original drug tests, including one conducted by the National Forensic Service last month, the actor found himself entangled in a web of controversy.
This tragedy underscores the complexities surrounding Lee Sun-kyun’s final months, leaving fans and the entertainment industry in shock. If you or someone you know is affected by the issues raised in this story, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.