Lee Sun-kyun's Harsh Reality
The South Korean actor known for his role in the Oscar-winning movie 'Parasite' passed away under tragic circumstances. He was facing allegations of drug use, a situation that brings to light the stringent nature of his country's legislation.
Lee Sun-kyun stars in the Apple TV Korean drama 'Dr. Brain.'APPLE TV
Lee Sun-kyun had been in a constant state of panic since October. Since the news of his interrogations with the police became public, he had lost peace. Contracts were being canceled, and media pressure was relentless, with inquiries directed at him, his wife, and all his relatives about the ongoing situation. The last interrogation at the police station on December 23 lasted 19 hours. The session was filled with questions about whether Lee Sun-kyun had smoked marijuana and tried ketamine. Lee Sun-kyun requested a polygraph test to prove he hadn't lied about using these substances to cope with insomnia. It seems like a plot from a dystopian movie, but for Lee Sun-kyun, it was a harsh reality, placing him at the heart of a ludicrous accusation and facing up to five years in prison for actions permitted in many democracies. The accusation stemmed from a stewardess who claimed the actor had taken ketamine and marijuana at his home. Lee alleged the woman had been extorting money from him for months for her silence. Despite paying her a substantial sum and later reporting her, she told the police they had met in a Gangnam district pub, known for marijuana trading. Lee's emotional defense did not sway the investigators or the public. He stated the woman had presented the drugs as sleeping aids, and he was unaware they were narcotics.
Lee Sun-kyun as a detective whose mother’s death is only the beginning of a harrowing time in “A Hard Day.”Credit...Kino Lorber
In Korea, being accused of cannabis use almost guarantees public condemnation. The oppressive drug laws and societal consensus make it hard to distinguish between accusation and conviction, leading to automatic guilt. Consequently, Sun-kyun was labeled as violent, untrustworthy, and a drug addict. His career suffered immensely; he was asked to leave the "No Way Out" series, and other producers quickly distanced themselves. Ultimately, Sun-kyun took his own life using a synthetic coal brick in his car, resulting in asphyxiation. His body was found in a nearby parking lot. While it's challenging to pinpoint the exact reasons for his decision, his story casts a light on the harshness of prohibition and its undemocratic nature. South Korea's stringent drug laws, including tests for Koreans returning from countries where cannabis is legal, illustrate the extreme measures taken under the guise of counter-narcotics. One tactic used by authorities is turning a user into a trafficker, criminalizing personal freedom. This is where legislation crosses from strict to authoritarian. Prohibitions tend to benefit criminal organizations, lead to wrongful imprisonments, and escalate conflicts between law enforcement and the public. Despite severe penalties, drug use in Korea is on the rise, with criminal organizations profiting from high prices. The powerful "Kkangpae" crime family, with connections even in the United States and Canada, exemplifies the entwined relationship between crime and prohibition. Sun-kyun, despite being innocent, faced harsh public scrutiny and had to defend his personal choices. In today's world, keeping matters private often equates to guilt. His attempt at an apology, seeking forgiveness for any hurt caused to his family and colleagues, was futile against a public eager to judge. The story of Lee Sun-kyun is a grim reminder of how prohibition can become a tool for societal harm.
