Due to his suspected usage of marijuana and other psychoactive substances, Lee, 48, had been under police investigation.
Digital Desk: Actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite", was found dead on Wednesday in an apparent suicide, according to the Yonhap news agency.
According to Yonhap, which quoted police, the actor was found inside a car at a park in the center of Seoul.
Due to his suspected usage of marijuana and other psychoactive substances, Lee, 48, had been under police investigation.
Local news sources claimed that after the controversy, the actor was being removed from commercial and television roles, despite once being praised for his pure persona.
Lee, who attended the esteemed Korea National University of Arts in South Korea, debuted as an actor in the sitcom "Lovers" on television in 2001.
Later on, he received praise for his portrayals of a range of characters, such as a charming chef and a dedicated architectural engineer who finds out his wife cheats on him.
He is most recognized around the world for playing the shallow and affluent patriarch in Bong Joon-ho's 2019 Oscar-winning film "Parasite."
His previous film, the horror movie "Sleep" this year, in which he portrayed a husband whose sleepwalking eventually leads to terrifying situations, was well-received by critics and screened during Cannes' Critics' Week.
In late October, he made a quick statement to the media before going inside an Incheon police station to meet with detectives.
"I sincerely apologise for causing great disappointment to many people by being involved in such an unpleasant incident," he stated at the time.
"I feel sorry for my family, which is enduring such difficult pain at this moment."I truly apologize to everyone once more."
South Korea has very strict rules regarding illegal substances, even Koreans who legitimately use drugs overseas, such as marijuana, run the possibility of being prosecuted when they return home.
President Yoon Suk Yeol declared this year that the nation was no longer "drug-free" and called for stronger steps to eliminate drug traffickers.
It is to be noted that the actor is survived by his wife and actress Jeon Hye-jin and two sons.
