Parasite Star Lee Sun-Kyun’s Blackmail, Police Questioning, and Death: A Timeline
Lee Sun-Kyun was a celebrated Korean actor who broke into the international scene as the lead actor in the Oscar-winning movie Parasite in 2019. The news of his death in December 2023 saddened and shocked his fans all over the world.
His death is a suspected suicide and is believed to be associated with blackmail by a bar hostess. The 48-year-old actor was found deceased in his car in a parking lot in Seoul. His wife, Jeon-Hye-jin, an actress and former beauty queen, contacted the police as soon as she found a suicide note.
Controversy before the death of the actor included an ongoing police investigation over allegations of marijuana and ketamine use. Lee was taken in for questioning at police stations three times. These events were highly publicized, making hundreds of headlines in South Korea. After the final session on December 23, Lee’s lawyer requested that any future questioning be carried out in private primarily due to the burden of the spotlight.
News so far revealed that Lee passed the toxicology tests and that he was not aware that he had taken illegal drugs. Shortly before his death, the actor asked for a lie detector test to be conducted to determine who was telling the truth: him or the hostess that is known as “A.”
Lee claimed that “A” was trying to blackmail him and filed a criminal case accordingly.
After his first questioning last October 28 at Incheon’s Nonhyeon Police Station, Lee published an apology to the public for being involved in a dishonorable affair. He said he was committed to being cooperative and honest.
He said, “I would like to sincerely apologize once again for causing so many people concerns. I will answer all questions truthfully. ‘A’ tricked me into doing drugs. I did not know that what she handed me were illegal drugs.”
South Korea has rigorous laws against drug use. One who is caught buying or selling marijuana can face a minimum of one year imprisonment. Those found guilty of using it can be fined up to $37,600 or sentenced to jail for up to five years.
The second questioning happened on November 4, and the third on December 23 was an interrogation lasting 19 hours. He was accused of using marijuana, ketamine, and psychedelic drugs on different occasions. Throughout, he was said to be consistent in saying that the bar hostess tricked him into taking the drugs, and she has been blackmailing him since.
According to The Korea Herald, Lee filed a complaint against “A” about the ongoing blackmail and extortion. She got $270,000 (350 million won) from the actor.
Lee said that he and “A” had already met four times and that he had inhaled a powder through his nose with a straw. At that time, he thought that it was crushed sleeping pills. Contrary to this, “A” claims she witnessed Lee snorting ketamine.
After the 19-hour ordeal of being questioned, Lee left and updated the reporters waiting outside the police station. He said, “I have also completed questioning as the plaintiff in the blackmail case. The police will now decide whether my statements or the blackmailer’s are credible, and I hope they use good judgment.”
Three days later, Lee was found unconscious inside a car near Waryong Park. Evidence of lit charcoal briquettes was found next to him.
