Lee Sun-kyun, actor from hit film Parasite, has died at age 48.

It is with deep sadness that we report the death of South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite. He was 48.

Lee was found unconscious in a car in one of Seoul's main parks on Wednesday. Police have confirmed they received a report that he had left home after writing a note. He had been under investigation for alleged drug use since October.

News outlet Yonhap reported that Lee had been suspected of taking drugs such as marijuana and ketamine with a hostess at a bar in Seoul. He had denied knowledge that the drugs were illicit, and his drug tests had returned negative or inconclusive results.

The actor briefly spoke to reporters in late October before entering an Incheon police station to meet with investigators. He said: “I sincerely apologize for causing great disappointment to many people by being involved in such an unpleasant incident. I feel sorry for my family, which is enduring such difficult pain at this moment.”

Police said they regretted that Lee had died in the midst of investigations, but that the investigation had been “conducted with [his] consent”. Lee's agency, HODU&U Entertainment, asked people to refrain from spreading false facts based on speculation.

Lee was married to actress Jeon Hye-jin and the couple shared two young sons. A graduate of South Korea's prestigious Korea National University of Arts, Lee made his acting debut in 2001. He rose to international fame as Park Dong-ik in Parasite, the father in the wealthy Park family.

He had recently been under investigation for drug use, and this caused considerable damage to his reputation. He dropped out of a TV series that had begun shooting two months ago. In South Korea, drug offences, including those involving marijuana, are serious crimes carrying prison sentences of up to five years.

Lee was a beloved star and his death has come as a shock to many. We send our condolences to his family during this difficult time.

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