Movie director Bong Joon Ho is amongst a collective of Korean artists calling for a brand new investigation into the demise of “Parasite” actor Lee Solar Kyun.
Lee was discovered unconscious inside his automobile at a park in Seoul on Dec. 26. His spouse reportedly had discovered a observe akin to a suicide observe and reported it to police. Authorities pronounced Lee useless. He was 48.
Together with the observe, the circumstances across the SAG Award-winning actor’s demise had been tinged by allegations of earlier drug use. Main as much as his demise, Lee confronted intense police questioning and threats over his suspected use of marijuana and different medicine which might be unlawful in South Korea. Lee mentioned he was tricked into utilizing the medicine.
Now, Bong — who collaborated with Lee on the 2020 Oscar-winning thriller “Parasite” — joins different Korean artists asking authorities for a brand new inquiry into the actor’s demise.
“Within the face of the tragic demise of actor Lee Solar-kyun, we shared the identical coronary heart that this could by no means occur once more,” the Assn. of Solidarity of Cultural Artists mentioned Tuesday in an announcement, in accordance with the Korea Herald. “We’ll name for investigation officers’ probe to find the reality, request media shops to delete articles that don’t match their operate as media, in addition to urge authorities to revise the legislation to guard the human rights of artists.”
The collective consists of Bong, songwriter Yoon Jong-shin, director Lee Gained-tae, actor Choi Deok-moon and the pinnacle of the Producers Guild of Korea, Choi Jeong-hwa, the outlet mentioned. A information convention is scheduled in South Korea on Friday.
The police investigation into Lee, which included 19 hours of questioning, appeared to take a toll. He had been nominated for finest actor on the 2023 Worldwide Emmy Awards for his efficiency within the sci-fi thriller “Dr. Mind,” however amid the probe into his alleged drug use, the actor reportedly dropped out of the Ok-drama thriller collection “No Manner Out.”
Intense questioning over alleged drug abuse will not be unusual in South Korea, a rustic with strict drug legal guidelines and rising public concern over drug abuse.
Concurrently Lee’s drug probe, police have been investigating Ok-pop star G-Dragon, Kwon Ji Yong of the band Large Bang, for alleged use of illicit medicine at a bar in Seoul in December 2022. The case was closed earlier this month after Kwon examined detrimental for medicine and police have been unable to seek out sufficient proof of drug use.
And final yr, “Hellbound” and “Burning” actor Yoo Ah In was accused of illegally utilizing medicine, together with marijuana, propofol and cocaine. He underwent 21 hours of questioning by police in Could.
Additionally surrounding Lee’s demise is the opportunity of suicide. A number of South Korean celebrities have died by doable suicides in recent times, together with pop singers Moonbin of the favored Ok-pop group Astro, Haesoo and Jonghyun, lead singer of the band SHINee.
Occasions workers author Jeong Park and fellow Ashley Ahn contributed to this report.
