Parasite star’s heartbroken wife and sons say emotional farewell surrounded by the actor’s friends and co-stars as he is laid to rest following suspected suicide
The heartbroken family of Parasite star Lee Sun-kyun bid an emotional farewell to the actor, surrounded by his friends and co-stars as he was laid to rest.
Mourners wept next to a vehicle carrying his coffin as they visited the funeral hall of South Korea's Seoul National University Hospital.
His wife Jeon Hye-jin, an actress and former Miss Korea contestant, and two sons looked devastated as they attended the ceremony today.
The star's portrait was carried from the funeral home by his eldest son, followed by his wife, who held hands with the couple's youngest child. Lee's friends and co-stars watched the funeral procession in tears and sadness.
Fans posted memos on the walls of the funeral home – with messages such as 'Goodbye My Mister' and 'Now please rest in peace' in memory of the actor's legacy.
Lee was found dead in his car on Wednesday morning at the age of 48 in an apparent suicide.
His wife called the police after finding a suicide note. His body was found in a parking lot in Seoul.
Lee Sun-kyun's wife Jeon Hye-jin, an actress and former Miss Korea contestant, looked devastated next to a vehicle carrying the late actor's coffin
Lee's wife and two sons looked heartbroken as they attended the star's funeral today
Lee Sun-kyun (photo) was found dead in his car in a suspected suicide on Wednesday morning at the age of 48
The hearse carrying the coffin of late South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun leaves a funeral hall after his burial ceremony at Seoul National University Hospital in Seoul
Mourners carry a portrait and the coffin containing the late South Korean actor Lee
A hearse carrying the late actor's coffin during his funeral ceremony in Seoul today
The star will be cremated and his remains will be placed in a memorial park in Gwangju, 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Seoul.
His office urged the public earlier this week to respect the privacy of the heartbroken family, adding that the funeral would be private.
Lee married Jeon, who appeared as a contestant on behalf of Gyeongnam in the 1997 Miss Korea pageant, in 2009, and the couple shared two sons.
Before his death, Lee was being investigated by police over allegations of taking marijuana and a powder that his accuser, a hostess at an upscale bar, said was ketamine. She claimed the drugs were taken at her home.
After news of an official investigation into his alleged drug use was published in late October, he was banned from major projects, including a mystery TV thriller show, No Way Out, which began filming that month.
The production company responsible for filming the show tried to fire him after police said they might need a sample of his hair for drug testing, local media reported.
The production company said at the time that it had informed all crew and cast members working on the show, which is about a South Korean serial killer hunted by a police officer, that the shooting would be postponed for two weeks to reschedule the film . form.
Mourners carry a portrait and the coffin containing the late South Korean actor Lee after his funeral ceremony at Seoul National University Hospital in Seoul
Crowds gathered at the funeral to remember the late father, husband and actor
Today, a hearse carrying the late actor's coffin is seen at his funeral
Lee was found dead in his car on Wednesday morning at the age of 48 in an apparent suicide
People carry the coffin containing actor Lee's body during his funeral
The star will be cremated and his remains will be placed in a memorial park in Gwangju, 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Seoul.
A portrait of the late actor can be seen through the window of a car during his funeral
His three appearances at police stations for interrogation were highly publicized and made headlines. After his last hearing on December 23, his lawyer asked for further interrogations in private, because of the 'burden' of the spotlight.
Lee insisted he had not knowingly used illegal drugs and passed toxicology tests: he demanded a lie detector test at the time of his death to assess whether he or the hostess – known only as 'A' – was telling the truth.
He claimed she tried to blackmail him and filed a criminal case.
“I would like to sincerely apologize again for worrying so many people,” he said after his first interrogation on Oct. 28 at Nonhyeon Police Station in Incheon.
'I will answer all questions truthfully.
'A' made me take drugs. I didn't know what she was giving me was illegal drugs.”
South Korea, like many Asian countries, has extremely strict laws against drug use. Those who sell or buy marijuana face a minimum of one year in prison. Those who use it could be sentenced to up to five years in prison or fined up to $37,600.