The news of popular South Korean actor Lee Sun-Kyun’s death has sent shockwaves throughout the world. The actor left behind a vast body of work, both in dramas and in filmography. He is one of the most versatile actors in the industry, and his works speak volumes about his craft. On December 27, 2023, multiple news outlets reported that he died by apparent suicide after police found him unconscious in his car. He was in the middle of an investigation over suspicions of illegal drug use.
Lee Sun-Kyun acted in many commercially successful and critically acclaimed movies and K-dramas over the years. The actor is well-known for his roles in the drama Coffee Prince and the multiple Oscar-winning South Korean movie Parasite, among several others.
Coffee Prince
Coffee Prince is a popular South Korean drama that premiered on July 2, 2007. It follows the story of a young woman, Go Eun-Chan, who is mistaken to be a boy because of her appearance. She continues to hide her identity after getting a job at a coffee shop. Chaos ensues after her manager, Choi Han-Gyeol (Gong Yoo), falls in love with her. Lee Sun-Kyun played a notable and praiseworthy role as Choi Han-Seung, a record producer and Han-Gyeol’s cousin. The drama is available to stream on Viki.
My Mister
Lee Sun-Kyun plays Park Dong-Hoon in the popular South Korean drama My Mister. Dong-Hoon is in his 40s and navigates life’s challenges, all while managing his dysfunctional family. When his professional life also becomes chaotic, he gets entangled with fellow employee Lee Ji-An (IU). The duo develop a sense of kinship and grow protective of each other while dealing with personal and professional challenges. The drama aired on March 21, 2018, and is available to stream on Netflix.
Diary of a Prosecutor
Diary of a Prosecutor premiered on December 16, 2019. The drama follows the story of a young woman prosecutor, Cha Myung-Joo (Jung Ryeo-Won), who gets transferred to a small branch office in a provincial town. Here, she meets a fellow prosecutor, Lee Sun-Wong (Lee Sun-Kyun), who has a completely different outlook on his life and career as a prosecutor. The drama is available to stream on Netflix.
Parasite
Parasite, released on May 30, 2019, is a modern classic that won four Academy awards. The movie follows the struggling Kim family (headed by the father played by Song Kang-Ho), who seek an opportunity when the son begins working for the wealthy Park family (headed by the father played by Lee Sun-Kyun). Greed, class discrimination, and more lead to expected twists and turns in this cinematic masterpiece. The film has a star-studded cast including Song Kang-Ho, Lee Sun-Kyun, Park So-Dam, Choi Woo-Shik, Park Seo-Joon, and more. It is available on Amazon Prime Video.
Helpless
Helpless is a popular South Korean movie starring Lee Sun-Kyun and Kim Min-Hee in the lead roles. The duo plays the couple Jang Mun-Ho and Kang Seon-Yeong, respectively. Ahead of their wedding, Mun-Ho discovers that his fiancé, Seon-Yeong, is missing. His desperate search leads him to dark truths and hidden secrets before her real identity is revealed. The film isn’t available yet on major streaming platforms. However, viewers can use a VPN to watch it on Dramacool. The movie released on March 8, 2012.
The King’s Case Note
The King’s Case Note is a popular South Korean comedy film that released on April 26, 2017. The film follows the story of King Yejong (Lee Sun-Kyun) and his chronicle keeper and archivist, Yoon Yi-Seo (Ahn Jae-Hong). Together, they expose crimes and protect their people. Eventually, they work together to find the truth behind a crime that threatens the throne and the stability of the kingdom. Viewers can use a VPN to watch the movie on Dramacool.
Lee Sun-Kyun has left his humungous legacy behind. He also experimented with a variety of genres, including comedy, romance, thriller, and more, in his two-decade-long career. Some of his other popular works include Dr. Brain, Miss Korea, Pasta, Triple, White Tower, Project Silence, Killing Romance, All About My Wife, and many others.
