‘Parasite’ star Lee Sun-kyun dropped from film before suicide

Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun was dropped from a film project just two months before his suicide.

He died on December 27, 2023.

The late actor was set to star in the upcoming drama No Way Out. The dark comedy surrounds the contract killing of a man who was just released from prison after a 13-year prison sentence.

According to Hollywood Reporter, the 48-year-old was under police investigation surrounding his suspected drug use.

Following exit from filming in October, the film’s producer, Studio X+U said in the statement.

“Following an unfortunate incident last week with the actor Lee Sun-Kyun, he expressed that it would take a considerable amount of time to sort out the current situation and that he will inevitably drop out (from shooting). The company reached an agreement with Lee’s agency and respects the actor’s position. Shooting will continue as scheduled, and there will be no further delay.” 

Sun-kyun, who was married to an actress, has two other projects waiting for release - Project Silence and Land of Heaven.

The actor was found unresponsive in his parked car in Seoul, South Korea. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

He had a charcoal briquette next to him – suggesting he died from possible carbon monoxide poisoning.

Months before his death, the police had questioned him for his alleged use of marijuana, ketamine, and other illicit substances. Although the late actor denied the accusations, he was accused of using drugs just days prior at the residence of a hostess.

Instead, the actor claimed that he was blackmailed, the woman tricked him into taking drugs but he had no idea what he had consumed.

Sun-kyun’s original drug tests all reportedly came back negative.

An official cause of death has not been released.