On December 27, social media was set abuzz with the unexpected news of Lee Sun Kyun being found dead in a car. This revelation left the public in a state of bewilderment, especially considering that Lee Sun Kyun was currently entangled in accusations involving substance use and infidelity
While investigations were still underway and no official conclusions had been drawn, the public has been hit with the disheartening news from the actor. Setting aside recent controversies, fans are now grieving the loss of a talent.
From a struggling rookie to a celebrated Baeksang Best Actor
Lee Sun Kyun, born in 1975, entered the Korean entertainment scene relatively late. At 26, lacking conventionally handsome looks, he spent the first decade of his career wrestling with uninspiring supporting roles in projects like “Thousand Years of Love,” “Lover,” and “Make It Big.” Despite industry recognition for his acting skills, the audience paid little attention to him during this period.
In 2007, Lee Sun Kyun took on a pivotal role in the iconic drama “Coffee Prince,” setting the stage for actors like Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye. However, it wasn’t until 2010 that Lee Sun Kyun got a chance to shine with the drama “Pasta.”
Subsequently, he landed leading roles in significant works, and by 2014, his career soared with the film “A Hard Day.” His stellar performance in this movie earned him the prestigious title of Best Actor at the Baeksang Award.
From then on, Lee Sun Kyun was consistently proving himself in high-grossing films. In recent years, he became even more familiar as part of the success of the Oscar-winning film “Parasite.”
In the realm of television, Lee Sun Kyun may not have taken on many projects, but his presence has left a significant impact. His small-screen works often delve into heavy themes, rarely following mainstream narratives. Notable dramas starring Lee Sun Kyun include “Golden Time,” “Miss Korea,” “My Mister,” and the most recent “Payback,” which premiered in early 2023.
Career transformation through marriage to his idol
In his career, Lee Sun Kyun constantly reinvented himself, showcasing versatility across various genres. However, what few expected was that his transformation into a diverse actor owed much to his wife, actress Jeon Hye Jin, whom he admired before gaining fame.
From a fan, Lee Sun Kyun successfully won over his idol. After six years of dating, they tied the knot in 2009. Lee Sun Kyun shared that his wife gave him encouragement, boosting his confidence in tackling more complex roles and gradually establishing himself in the industry. Before the shocking drug scandal unfolded, Lee Sun Kyun and Jeon Hye Jin remained an admired couple in the entertainment industry.
Unfinished projects, works left undone
Amidst the scandal, Lee Sun Kyun attempted to deny the allegations multiple times, but his career still suffered. He made the difficult decision to voluntarily withdraw from the film “No Way Out” to cooperate with the police investigation. Since “No Way Out” was still in the early stages of production, Lee Sun Kyun’s withdrawal did not heavily impact the shooting schedule. However, the production team had to find a new male lead, someone with acting skills and a reputation matching Lee Sun Kyun’s.
Apart from this project, Lee Sun Kyun has a few unreleased and unstarted works. The most notable is “The Land of Happiness,” which has already been completed but now faces the risk of not being released due to the controversy surrounding Lee Sun Kyun.
Ignoring the unwarranted controversies, Lee Sun Kyun remains a highly esteemed figure in the Korean film industry. Over his nearly 20-year career, he has made significant contributions to the country’s film industry.
Source: k14
