South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, a member of the cast of the Oscar-winning film ‘Parasite’, was found dead Wednesday while being investigated in a case of alleged drug use, Yonhap news agency reported.

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Lee, 48, was found unconscious inside a car parked in a park in central Seoul at 10:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Yonhap reported.

A charcoal briquette was found in the passenger seat and police were informed that Lee had left an apparent suicide note at his home, which is why they believe he took his own life.

Lee was being investigated on suspicion of having consumed marijuana and other illegal drugs in South Korea at the residence of a hostess working at an upscale bar in the Gangnam district on several occasions since the beginning of the year.

Rest in peace, Lee Sun-kyun. (1975-2023) pic.twitter.com/l9Z811Zkix

— NEON (@neonrated) December 27, 2023

The actor had undergone three interrogations, the most recent one last weekend, during which he was questioned for 19 hours, and had told investigators that the hostess had tricked him into taking the substances, without him knowing what he was taking.

Lee had tested negative for drugs in the reagent test he underwent during the investigation, as well as in a lab test conducted by the National Forensic Service in November.

The performer had earlier Tuesday filed a request with the police department handling the investigation to submit to a polygraph test, claiming his innocence.

Lee filed a lawsuit in October against two people, including the aforementioned escort for blackmailing him after news of his alleged drug use surfaced.

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The woman was arrested last month and police have reportedly applied for an arrest warrant for the other person, according to Yonhap.

-Thailand News (TN)