Lee Sun-Kyun’s Wife, Jeon Hye-Jin, Sobbed at Funeral as Anger Over the Police Inquiry Intensifies

Actor Lee Sun-kyun of Parasite fame, who was found dead earlier this week from what seemed to be a suicide, was honored in a private burial in South Korea on Friday. The funeral home affiliated with Seoul National University Hospital hosted the event. Jeon Hye-jin, the actress who married Lee, looked heartbroken as she sobbed and held hands with her younger son while her older son held a picture of the deceased star.

As reported by The Sun, many of the actor's coworkers, including Gong Hyo-jin, Ryu Seung-ryong, and Lee Sung-min, attended the private funeral, which took place at the Seoul National University Hospital. Later, Hye-jin was seen embracing her boys and getting close to them before the late father and husband's corpse was carried to a cremation.

The 48-year-old South Korean actor was under investigation for possible usage of marijuana and other illicit substances throughout the year. On Wednesday, December 27, South Korean police informed NBC News that the actor had passed away and that his body had been discovered in a parked automobile in Seoul. Law enforcement reports that they located a charcoal briquette in Lee's passenger seat.

According to several South Korean media sites, Sun-kyun's death is being investigated as a suicide. Authorities have opened an inquiry into his death, according to a report released on Wednesday by South Korea's Yonhap News Agency. As per the story, Sun-kyun was being looked into by authorities before he passed away over claims that he had used illicit narcotics while staying at the house of a hostess who worked at a South Korean club. Regarding the narcotics, Sun-kyun was initially questioned by police in October. After the first occurrence, the publication said that he passed two drug tests with a negative result.

After the drug usage accusations became public in October, the Parasite actor was set aside from other high-profile projects. His agency also issued a statement saying, "We can't express how heartbroken and sad we feel ... Please refrain from spreading speculation or false information (about him)." 

At 10.30 a.m. on Dec. 28, police in downtown Seoul discovered Sun-kyun dead in a vehicle close to Waryong Park. As per reports, he may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning. According to what his manager allegedly informed authorities, the actor had previously left a message at his Cheongdam-dong house that resembled a suicide note. After being unable to contact Sun-kyun, his manager went to the property and quickly informed the police about the missing vehicle and the message, according to Yonhap News.

Weeks before Sun-kyun's death, and just before he received his first police summons, he delivered a devastating public apology to his supporters, expressing regret for the 'great disappointment' he had caused. As reported by The Sun, he said, "I sincerely apologize for causing great disappointment to many people by being involved in such an unpleasant incident. I feel sorry for my family, which is enduring such difficult pain at this moment."