Lee Sun-kyun

Quick Facts: Who was Lee Sun-kyun?

Subject:

Lee Sun-kyun

Known for:

Acclaimed South Korean actor known for roles in Parasite and My Mister.

Born:

1975-03-02

Died:

2023-12-27

Century / Era:

1975s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Lee Sun-kyun (Korean: 이선균; March 2, 1975 – December 27, 2023) was a South Korean actor. Internationally, he was best known for his role in Bong Joon-ho's Academy Award–winning film Parasite (2019), for which he won an Actor Award along with his castmates. He received several other awards, including a nomination for an International Emmy Award. Lee debuted as an actor in 2000 and starred in TV dramas and musical theatre. The dramas Behind the White Tower and Coffee Prince (both 2007) brought Lee mainstream popularity, which he followed with Pasta (2010), Golden Time (2012), and My Mister (2018).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

On the big screen, he was known for his collaborations with director Hong Sang-soo in the arthouse films Oki's Movie (2010) and Nobody's Daughter Haewon (2013). His other high-profile films include mystery thriller Helpless (2012), romantic comedy All About My Wife (2012), and action thriller A Hard Day (2014), the latter of which won him the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor. Following the success of Parasite, Lee continued to take on diverse and critically acclaimed roles. He starred in the first Apple TV+ Korean-language series, Dr. Brain (2021), the political drama Kingmaker (2022), the crime thriller Payback: Money and Power (2023), and the psychological thriller Sleep (2023). On December 27, 2023, Lee died from suicide at the age of 48.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

At the time of his death, Lee had been investigated for alleged drug consumption. Lee Sun-kyun was born in Seoul on March 2, 1975. He attended the Korea National University of Arts in 1994, and graduated in the first ever class of its School of Drama with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Lee made his debut as the lead actor in the 2000 short film Psycho Drama. In 2001, he made his stage acting debut as Brad Majors in the stage musical The Rocky Horror Show, and his television debut in the sitcom Lovers.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1975 (1975-03-02): Birth of Lee Sun-kyun — Acclaimed South Korean actor known for roles in Parasite and My Mister.
2. 1994: 1994 Milestone — He attended the Korea National University of Arts in 1994, and graduated in the first ever class of its School of Drama with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
3. 2000: 2000 Milestone — Lee debuted as an actor in 2000 and starred in TV dramas and musical theatre.
4. 2001: 2001 Milestone — In 2001, he made his stage acting debut as Brad Majors in the stage musical The Rocky Horror Show, and his television debut in the sitcom Lovers.
5. 2007: 2007 Milestone — The dramas Behind the White Tower and Coffee Prince (both 2007) brought Lee mainstream popularity, which he followed with Pasta (2010), Golden Time (2012), and My Mister (2018).
6. 2010: 2010 Milestone — On the big screen, he was known for his collaborations with director Hong Sang-soo in the arthouse films Oki's Movie (2010) and Nobody's Daughter Haewon (2013).
7. 2012: 2012 Milestone — His other high-profile films include mystery thriller Helpless (2012), romantic comedy All About My Wife (2012), and action thriller A Hard Day (2014), the latter of which won him the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor.
8. 2019: 2019 Milestone — Internationally, he was best known for his role in Bong Joon-ho's Academy Award–winning film Parasite (2019), for which he won an Actor Award along with his castmates.
9. 2021: 2021 Milestone — Brain (2021), the political drama Kingmaker (2022), the crime thriller Payback: Money and Power (2023), and the psychological thriller Sleep (2023).
10. 2023 (2023-12-27): Passing & Historical Legacy — Lee Sun-kyun passed away on 2023-12-27, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lee Sun-kyun

True or False: “Lee Sun-kyun won the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor for his role in A Hard Day (2014).”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He won the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor for his role in A Hard Day; however, the text states he received a nomination for this award.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Lee Sun-kyun