‘Parasite’ star Lee Sun-kyun under police investigation over alleged drug use

Lee Sun-kyun. Image: Instagram/@cjenmmovie

South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role as Park Dong-ik in the 2019 film “Parasite,” is being investigated by authorities over alleged drug use.

Allegations of a certain Mr. L (who was speculated to be Lee) and seven other people using illegal drugs “multiple times this year” mainly in entertainment establishments were reported by Gyeonggi Shinmun and Yonhap News Agency, which is a violation of South Korea’s Drugs Control Act.

While Lee was “not officially named as a suspect,” the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency reportedly found a lead connected to the actor’s “illegal activities.” The reports, however, didn’t state what type of illegal substances were used.

“It is true that L provided a significant amount of money to the drug supplier while engaged in marijuana use. We estimate the amount to be around 300 million won (approximately $221,900),” Gyeonggi Shinmun’s report read, according to a Soompi translation.

In response to the allegations, Lee’s agency HODU&U Entertainment said in an official statement per Financial News that it’s cooperating with authorities to verify “specific facts” regarding the accusations against the actor.

“We are committed to cooperating fully with any investigations conducted by relevant authorities with utmost sincerity and honesty in the future. Additionally, Lee Sun Gyun has filed a complaint with the law enforcement agency against individual A, who is connected to the incident, for continuous blackmail and threats,” the label said, per a Soompi translation.

The label also assured the actor’s fans that “strong measures against any malicious information” will be taken immediately.

Lee, who bagged a Screen Actors Guild award for his performance in “Parasite,” also appeared in the K-dramas “Miss Korea,” “Pasta,” and “Coffee Prince.”  /ra