The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) paid tribute to the late actor Lee Sun-kyun, posthumously awarding him the Achievement Award for his significant contributions to Korean cinema.
On the afternoon of November 2nd, during the opening ceremony at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, actors Park Bo-young and Ahn Jae-hong hosted the event, which included a special commemorative program for Lee Sun-kyun alongside the announcement of his award.
As a montage of Lee Sun-kyun’s filmography played on the big screen, fellow actors Song Joong-ki and Ha Yoon-kyung were visibly moved to tears. Song Joong-ki had previously paid his respects by attending the guest visit for “Land of Happiness”, Lee Sun-kyun’s final film. Ha Yoon-kyung, who shared a professional relationship with Lee Sun-kyun as a fellow actor and former colleague at their agency, appeared particularly emotional.
Park Bo-young, remembering Lee Sun-kyun, said poignantly, “I hope he has now reached a state of peace, just like the final farewell in ‘My Mister’.” Ahn Jae-hong announced the Achievement Award, noting, “It is meaningful to have a time to commemorate Lee Sun-kyun by introducing six of his representative works.” The award will be presented to Lee Sun-kyun’s family.
The festival has prepared a special program titled “A Kind Person, Lee Sun-kyun” to honor the actor who passed away last December, shocking the entertainment industry and fans alike. Six of his most notable works was screened, accompanied by a special commemorative talk.
Lee Sun-kyun’s untimely passing came after a tumultuous period in his life. In October of last year, he reported to the police that he had been threatened by an entertainment establishment official in Gangnam, Seoul. He claimed to have been extorted of 350 million won by two women, but the situation took a turn when one of the women accused Lee Sun-kyun of drug use, leading to his being booked as a suspect.
Despite undergoing three rounds of questioning and detailed drug tests at Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, all of which came back negative, Lee Sun-kyun’s case was widely publicized. Some media outlets reported on private conversations and investigation details, intensifying the controversy.
Tragically, on December 27th, 2023, two months into the investigation and reportedly under extreme stress, Lee Sun-kyun was found dead.
In a subsequent development, the Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency arrested a high-ranking police officer from Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency on suspicion of leaking information about Lee Sun-kyun’s investigation.
Source: Wikitree
