Born March 2, 1975, Lee Sun-kyun received his start in theater, appearing in several small and supporting roles throughout the early aughts before his big break in 2007 — starring in the medical drama series “White Tower” and “Coffee Prince,” both of which were critically acclaimed and immensely popular in Korea. However, Lee used his rising success to focus on a number of low-budget independent movies, garnering several awards including a Best Actor win for the 2009 film “Paju” and his Screen Actors Guild Awards win for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for “Parasite.” A capable leading man who could lead romantic dramas as easily as thrillers or arthouse fare, Lee was fast becoming one of the country’s most recognizable stars.
Reports of Lee’s death led to an outpouring on social media, with many fans urging others to celebrate his wide body of work beyond his most famous role in “Parasite.” Nicknamed “The Voice” for his distinctive, trademark delivery, it goes without saying that his presence will be sorely missed on the big and small screen for years to come. He’s survived by his wife, actor Jeon Hye-jin, and their two sons.