Parasite director Bong, South Korean artists urge probe into handling of actor case

Parasite director Bong, South Korean artists urge probe into handling of actor case
South Korean director Bong Joon-ho attends a press conference to call for the protection of artists and an investigation into the death of actor Lee Sun-kyun who was found dead in apparent suicide amid a drug probe, in Seoul, South Korea on Jan 12, 2024.
PHOTO: Reuters file

SEOUL — A group of South Korean filmmakers, actors and industry officials, including Parasite director Bong Joon-ho, on Friday (Jan 12) called for a probe into the handling by police and media of drug abuse allegations involving late actor Lee Sun-kyun.

Lee, who shot to global fame with his performance as the wealthy patriarch in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, was found dead last month in an apparent suicide.

Bong and more than a dozen other film, music and entertainment industry figures held a news conference in Seoul, urging authorities to look into whether police handled Lee's case without violating security and privacy rules.

Since his case was first reported by a local newspaper citing a police official, Lee suffered attacks on his reputation due to constant leaks about the investigation even after multiple drug tests came back negative, they said.

They also denounced "sensational" coverage by some news outlets and YouTubers focusing on Lee's private life using unverified information, calling it "yellow journalism."

"We call for a fact-finding probe into whether there were any security problems regarding the police investigation," Bong said, reading a statement signed by more than 2,000 artists and 29 industry associations.

"We're asking the press and media," singer-songwriter Yoon Jong-shin said, "Wasn't your coverage sensational, highlighting someone's private life just because he was a pop culture artist?"

Calls to Incheon police, which investigated Lee went unanswered. Its chief has denied violating security rules while expressing regret over his death.

Lee's death rekindled criticism from the entertainment industry and the public over the often harsh and public nature of any criminal investigations involving celebrities which fuelled media coverage and pressure on them.

Yoon singled out a report by public broadcaster KBS using a recording of Lee's phone call with a bar hostess, questioning if it was meant to serve people's right to know and demanding it be deleted.

KBS said in a statement it stood by its reporting that was aired more than a month before Lee's death and the content was used with "maximum restraint" to uncover the facts of the case.

"The recording was used in a very limited way because it was not irrelevant to the allegations (against Lee) but was in fact supporting the credibility of the claim," it said.

Lee made three highly public appearances before police between October and December, the last time for 19 hours overnight.

He had denied knowingly taking illegal drugs and said he was tricked by the bar hostess who later blackmailed him, local news media reported before his death.

Lee was the latest in a long line of South Korean artists and celebrities to took their lives, already under intense pressure from competition and prying interest in their personal lives, often aggravated by online bullying and personal attacks.

South Korea has the highest suicide rate among developed countries.

ALSO READ: South Korea police defend probe of Parasite actor who was found dead

Source: Reuters

homepage

trending

trending
    'It was very disheartening': Jetstar Asia cabin crew received news of closure while preparing for flight
    SG60 NDP to see largest number of marching contingents at Padang in over 30 years
    BMW i4 eDrive35 M Sport review: Subtle updates for an electric BMW favourite
    No significant impact to travellers after Jetstar Asia closure, say analysts
    Israel says it struck Iran amid nuclear tensions
    Pamper yourself on your next shopping trip with these exclusive deals
    Ryan Lian reveals rocky 4 months, including grandma's death and 'eating huat kueh left out for prayer rituals'
    'Why do such dangerous things': Video from MRT track circulates online, SMRT lodges police report
    $52k bid for clinic space: Young business owners react, raising concerns over rising rent
    $55k dream renovation turns into nightmare; contractor borrows money from homeowner
    Pop Mart's new Labubu collection, inspired by convenience store food, to launch on June 13
    'You got yourself a customer for life': Woman receives surprise gifts from SIA crew to celebrate her pregnancy

Singapore

Singapore
    • Jetstar Asia ceasing operations: Passengers scramble to seek refunds, travel plans up in limbo
    • Man returns stolen Jinro toad statue to restaurant after CCTV footage emerges
    • Singapore and Johor Regent Tunku Ismail to swop land plots near Botanic Gardens
    • Maids working in households with kids must have immunity against measles: MOM
    • 'Can't get through to anyone': Jetstar Asia passengers facing issues with refund applications
    • HSA raids nightclub at Coleman Street for sale and use of illegal e-vaporisers
    • Cultural group releases own video to clear the air over Gan Siow Huang handshake incident 
    • Man, 39, accused of housebreaking jumps bail, arrest warrant issued
    • 16 arrested for illegal horse betting in joint operation by Singapore and Malaysia police
    • Singaporean woman given 6 months’ jail in Taiwan for stalking singer, threatening her online

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Stars harassed: Jungkook's house almost broken into by woman, chauffeur sells Orm's personal info to fans
    • 'Everyone looked at us with pitiful eyes': BTS' Jimin and Jungkook share funny military experiences
    • Put their logo and priced it 10 times higher: Netizens upset exact copy of Enhypen's merch available cheaply on Taobao
    • 'I'm going to die at this rate': BTS' RM recalls struggling with insomnia and self-doubt during military service
    • 'I thought I was a forgotten actress': Apple Hong touched by supporters' messages after Star Awards' popularity nomination
    • Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are engaged
    • Judge in Harvey Weinstein trial declares mistrial on rape charge
    • Sabrina Carpenter to release album titled Man's Best Friend on Aug 29
    • Harvey Weinstein convicted of sex crime amid contentious jury deliberations
    • Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular coming to Singapore March 2026, waitlist now open
    • Durians for $1.95 at FairPrice annual fair this June
    • Restaurant Labyrinth to have 2-day collaboration with Culinary Class Wars' Choi Hyun-seok
    • A taste of home: Burmese friends open cafe in Bras Basah selling authentic Myanmar cuisine
    • Popular Holland Village eateries Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Wala Wala Cafe Bar to shutter
    • Honda Freed review: Understated small MPV with plenty of plus points
    • Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor Performance Pack review: Sporty electric SUV that's big in performance and price
    • McDonald's and Tokidoki to release limited-edition collectible charms from June 12
    • Hello, oppas: South Korea's steamy musical Wild Wild is back in Singapore this June
    • 20 Father's Day 2025 deals and promotions: Dad dines free, Porsche test drive experience and more

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • Initiative by IMDA, AI Verify Foundation tests AI accuracy, trustworthiness in real-world scenarios
    • Under siege? Helldivers 2's latest city to be invaded by aliens could be spoof of Singapore
    • Honor 400 Series launches in Singapore with first free in-device AI image-to-video tool
    • Home Team humanoid robots to be deployed by mid-2027, $100m to be invested: Josephine Teo
    • Ado concert review: Singer without a face ignites fans while in cage with only silhouette visible
    • EU and US authorities take down malware network
    • Google Pixel 9a: The best AI-centric phone under $800 in 2025?
    • Western intelligence agencies warn spyware threat targeting Taiwan, Tibetan rights advocates

Money

Money
    • Best credit card promotions in Singapore (June 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    • Air India disaster is first fatal Boeing 787 accident
    • Best bank offers in Singapore (June 2025): Blackpink Visa presale, Lilo & Stitch Hawaii vacation, up to 50% off flights and more
    • More seniors to benefit as 3 local banks recognise CPF Life payouts as income proof for credit card applications
    • World Bank cuts global growth forecast as trade tensions heighten uncertainty
    • Queenstown 5-room loft breaks national HDB record at $1.65m
    • The biggest misconceptions about buying property in Singapore's CCR in 2025
    • 9 best personal loans in Singapore with lowest interest rates (June 2025)
    • Best fixed deposit rates in Singapore (June 2025): Minimum deposits from $500, rates up to 2.45%
    • SG60 Baby Gift: What to expect if you're expecting

Latest

Latest
  • Appeals court allows Trump to keep National Guard in LA with Marines on the way
  • Air India flight makes emergency landing in Thailand after bomb threat
  • Israel hits Iran nuclear facilities, missile factories; Tehran vows revenge
  • 'Family love keeps me going': Thai, 46, walks 700km to quit cannabis addiction
  • Rescuers search for missing people, aircraft parts after Air India crash kills over 240
  • After Israel strikes Iran, airlines divert flights, airspace closed
  • Iran and Israel's open warfare after decades of shadow war
  • Iran plans to 'give a harsh response' to Israeli attack, Iranian security source to Reuters
  • Judge temporarily bars Trump from deploying National Guard troops in Los Angeles

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • 2 women arrested for theft at Changi Airport transit area within an hour
  • 40 Singaporeans going on 'Single's Inferno' trips to Japan to find love, minus the cameras
  • Mum of 6 who juggles 3 jobs starts free breakfast club for children in Ang Mo Kio
  • Government official impersonation scam: Syndicate received gold bars worth $500k, cash from victims
  • Queues at VEP application centres in Singapore, JB after news of enforcement from July 1
  • Wrong food delivery: Man 'feels unsafe', calls police
  • Malaysian woman apologises to 11-year-old daughter for 'only' spending $300k on her birthday
  • Boy, 4, caught smoking under a Bangkok bridge sent to government-run shelter
  • 'I feel incredibly honoured': Drum major who dreamed of role as teen leads Singapore Police Force Band in centennial celebration
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.