In the wake of the untimely death of renowned actor Lee Sun-Kyun on December 27, a collective effort has been initiated by a group of influential South Korean filmmakers, artists, and entertainment entities.

The Association of Solidarity Among Cultural Artists, comprising prominent figures such as director Bong Joon-ho, filmmaker Lee Won-tae, actor Choi Deok-moon, singer Yoon Jong-shin, and many others, has taken a firm stance, calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lee’s tragic suicide.

The newly established association has issued a statement expressing deep concern over the incident and emphasising the necessity of uncovering the truth to prevent similar occurrences in the future. In preparation for a planned press conference in Seoul, the group is set to implore authorities to delve into the details of Lee Sun-Kyun’s demise.

“In the face of the tragic death of actor Lee Sun-kyun, we shared the same sentiment that this should never happen again. We will call for investigation officials’ probe to discover the truth, request media outlets to delete articles that do not fit their function as media, as well as urge authorities to revise the law to protect the human rights of artists,” the association stated.

Prior to his passing, Lee Sun-Kyun, at the age of 48, was under investigation in connection to allegations of illegal drug use. South Korea’s stringent drug laws, part of an ongoing “war on drugs,” impose severe penalties for both domestic and international drug use, ranging from six months to 14 years in prison.

Throughout the investigation, which began in October, Lee had vehemently denied the charges of illegal drug use during private interrogations and public statements. He asserted that he was being targeted and blackmailed by an individual implicated in the same probe.

In the week leading to his death, Lee underwent a grueling 19-hour police interrogation, during which he appealed to the authorities to discern the credibility of statements from both him and the alleged blackmailers. Shortly thereafter, his lifeless body was discovered in a parked car, reported missing by his manager, with a poignant suicide note found on the scene.

Following the tremendous success of “Parasite,” which won multiple Oscars, Lee Sun-Kyun had been cast in AppleTV+’s inaugural Korean-language show, the sci-fi thriller “Dr. Brain.”

The industry’s response to his tragic demise underscores the need for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, shedding light on the broader challenges faced by artists within the South Korean entertainment landscape.