‘Parasite’ director Bong Joon-ho calls for probe into suspicious ‘suicide’ of star Lee Sun-kyun

The director of Oscar-winning film “Parasite” is calling for a probe into the sudden death of star Lee Sun-kyun, who was found dead of an apparent suicide late last month.

Bong Joon-ho is among a number of prominent Korean film figures demanding answers about the suspicious circumstances that led to the actor’s demise at the age of 48.

At the time, the actor was under investigation for suspected illegal drug use, which he denied. Lee claimed to be the victim of a blackmail plot and said if he did consume drugs, it was because he had been tricked into doing so.

Late last week, police referred two women to prosecutors for potential indictment on charges of blackmailing the late actor out of 350 million won ($266,605), according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency. Lee’s alleged illegal drug use took place at the home of one of the women, the outlet reports.

South Korean authorities previously said Lee had passed several drugs tests and been questioned for 19 hours just days before he was found dead in a car at a park on Dec. 27.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a new organization named The Association of Solidarity of Cultural Artists — made up of 29 arts and culture groups, including the Busan International Film Festival, and the Korea Entertainment Producers Association — released a statement urging authorities and the media to continue an investigation and “discover the truth [of Lee’s case].”

Bong Joon-ho, filmmaker Lee Won-tae and actor Choi Deok-moon are reportedly planning to join other filmmakers at a press conference with the organization in Seoul on Friday.

In recent years, a growing number of South Korean pop stars and actors have died by suicide, including Moonbin, Haesoo and Jonghyun of boy band Shinee.