South Korea: Lee Sun-kyun’s Private Farewell: A Quiet Goodbye Amidst Tragic Circumstances

South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun‘s family bid him a private farewell during a quiet funeral, shielding him from the intrusive cameras that had followed him in the final months of a drug investigation. The entertainment industry came to a halt, with numerous events canceled, as former colleagues gathered to remember Lee. His family, close friends, and colleagues mourned his passing on Friday, urging Korean media to refrain from “painful and abrupt” visits to his home, agency, and funeral.

At the age of 48, the actor was discovered dead in a car in Seoul on Wednesday, with police suspecting suicide. His sudden death shocked the nation, as he had been a household name for over two decades before gaining international recognition for his role in the acclaimed film Parasite.

Amidst the expressions of sympathy and grief, there is also frustration over the relentless public scrutiny Lee faced since October when the police initiated their inquiry. Beyond South Korea, there is astonishment that a drug investigation involving a celebrity could lead to such a tragic scandal.