Who killed Lee Sun-Kyun?

Today’s news has really shaken me: the actor Lee Sun-kyun, famous from “Parasite” and other dramas, has passed away.

This has made me think about the current state of things in Korea. There’s been a lot of talk about Lee’s possible drug use. The media and the public were really tough on him from the start. It’s heartbreaking to imagine how he felt, seeing his career and family life fall apart. I don’t want to speculate on the allegations against him, as they’re not proven. But, as someone who knows the Korean media scene, I want to talk about the intense scrutiny Korean celebrities face, and how this might have played a part in Lee’s death. He was a great actor, a husband, and a father, and I extend my deepest condolences.

Let’s look at the timeline of Lee’s case. It started with a report on October 19th, claiming a top star, ‘L’, was suspected of drug use. The police began investigating, including Lee. Despite tests showing no drugs in his system, the media frenzy continued. Singer G-Dragon was also tested and found negative. The investigation was based on claims from a nightclub manager, which many criticized for its weak foundation. Lee maintained his innocence, saying he thought he had taken sleeping pills. He even asked for a lie detector test the day before he died.

The situation worsened when an unverified video from a YouTube channel, Kaseyeon, was released, showing a private conversation between Lee and the nightclub manager. This led to more media coverage. Lee was found dead in his car on October 27th, and it seems the pressure he faced played a significant role in his death. Koreans are mourning and angry at the police, media, and politics for their role in this. Despite negative drug tests, the media continued to label him as a drug user.

Interestingly, the day before Lee’s death, there were promotions in the National Police Agency, including the officer leading Lee’s investigation. The contrast between local and international media coverage is striking; international media celebrated his achievements while local media focused on the allegations.

This case highlights the problems with local media in Korea, struggling financially and resorting to sensationalism. The public also plays a part, often believing unverified news. After a celebrity’s death, they blame the media. Korean celebrities face immense scrutiny, as actor Lee Ji-hoon and former singer Kim Song have pointed out. They’ve criticized the public’s judgmental nature and crowd psychology.

The case of G-Dragon shows how quickly public opinion can shift. He was labeled a drug addict, but once his tests were negative, opinions changed. There’s a problem with premature media coverage and police responses. Legal experts question why Lee’s name was leaked early in the investigation. Comparisons with other cases, like that of a prosecutor’s brother-in-law, show disparities in how cases are handled.

We need to reflect on how we process information and judge public figures. The intense scrutiny can have devastating effects. As a Korean and a journalist, I hope we can adopt a more empathetic and responsible approach towards public figures. Thank you for listening, and may Lee Sun-kyun rest in peace. Bye.