Actor Lee Sun-Kyun (48), who had been under police investigation for drug use, was found dead on the 27th, and major media outlets are also reporting this news one after another.
Reuters reported on this day an article titled “‘Parasite’ actor Lee Sun-kyun found dead during investigation on drug charges.”
Reuters quoted a fire department official as saying, “Mr. Lee’s body was discovered during a search after receiving a report of him missing.”
Actor Lee Sun-Kyun, who was being investigated by police on suspicion of drug use, was found dead in his car. Major media outlets are quickly reporting the news of Lee’s death, noting that he appeared in the movie ‘Parasite’, which won four Academy Awards.
Lee Sun-Kyun Career
Born in 1975, Lee Sun-kyun made his entertainment industry debut in 1999 through singer Bijou’s music video for ‘It’s Okay’. Afterwards, he appeared in the movie ‘Psycho Drama’ in 2000 and entered the TV stage by playing a supporting role in the MBC sitcom ‘Lovers’ the following year.
Lee Seon-kyun developed his acting skills by taking on several one-act plays and supporting roles. He first became known to the public in 2007 when he took on the role of Choi Do-young in the drama ‘White Tower’.
Lee Sun-gyun, who showed off his charm and acting skills, walked a solid path. As a leading actor, he led films such as ‘The Firecar’, ‘All About My Wife’, and ‘To the End’ to success, and went on to dominate the screen after the cathode ray tube.
From 2018 to 2019, Lee Sun-kyun transformed from a simple box-office actor to a famous actor. He appeared in the drama ‘My Mister in 2018 and the movie ‘Parasite’ in 2019. Lee Sun-kyun rose to the ranks of ’10 million actors through Parasite. His work Parasite became Korea’s best film, winning the Palme d’Or at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival and winning four awards at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Investigation
On the 24th of last month, KBS News reported on the progress of the investigation involving actor Lee Sun-Kyun and entertainment business manager A, who were under police investigation on suspicion of drug use, and also revealed the contents of a phone call containing a personal conversation between the two.
It is freedom of speech and publishing to report on social events involving public officials or celebrities, such as whether Lee Sun-Kyun, who was summoned by the police, used drugs, the results of a simple reagent test, and the results of a detailed examination by the National Forensic Service. It is the people’s right to know that they can collect and confidently request information through the media without interference from the state.
However, the question arises as to whether the public broadcaster KBS needed to mention the private conversation between Lee Seon-Kyun and the woman who heads the entertainment establishment as ‘content that could lead to inferences about the relationship between the two people.’
Usually, various unnecessary information that does not fall under the right to know is spread online, and social condemnation by netizens is made before it receives a judicial decision from the court.
Recently, as a series of raw and unrefined personal information has been produced on a YouTube platform, it has become a story that stimulates interest. Depending on the perspective and values of the viewer, what one wants to believe is considered ‘fact’.
It is necessary to objectively consider whether the content of articles reported in the media has a public nature that the public should know about and whether the issue contributes to the formation of public opinion. This means that strict criteria must be used to determine whether it is a matter of public interest or a matter belonging to the private sphere.
If the news is public that the public must know about, freedom of expression should be recognized more broadly, but if the report’s content belongs to the private sphere, an individual’s right to pursue happiness and personal rights should be prioritized over freedom of speech and publication.
We don’t know where the recording of the phone call between Lee Sun-kyun and Mr. A came from, but We wonder if there was a need for a public broadcaster or YouTube channel to receive it and introduce it to the public without filtering.
Mr. Lee has been under police investigation on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act since last October.
During the police investigation, he said, “I didn’t know it was drugs. He also sued Mr. A and others for blackmail, saying, “He was threatened and robbed of 350 million won.”
The British BBC, Germany’s Deutsche Welle, Japan’s Kyodo News,
The Washington Post, Australia, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, India, Singapore, and the Philippines also quickly reported the news of the death. We express our deepest condolences as the deceased is on his final journey.
