Bong Joon-ho Remembers Late Actor Lee Sun-kyun as a 'Good Person and Good Actor'

Director Bong Joon-ho reflected on the late actor Lee Sun-kyun during his appearance on MBC's current affairs program 'Questions from Son Seok-hee' on February 18, 2025. While promoting his new film 'Mickey17', Bong expressed his sorrow over Lee's tragic passing, stating, "He was a good person and a good actor."

Son Seok-hee brought up Lee, who starred alongside Bong in the acclaimed film 'Parasite', noting that many still mourn his loss and question the police investigation surrounding his death. Lee took his own life in December 2023 while under investigation for drug-related charges. In response to this tragedy, 29 cultural and artistic organizations formed the 'Cultural and Artistic Coalition' and released a statement on January 12, 2024, addressing the circumstances of Lee's death.

Bong participated in the coalition's statement and called for a thorough investigation into the police's handling of the case, emphasizing that the authorities cannot evade responsibility by merely claiming they followed legal procedures. When asked about his thoughts on the incident, Bong shared, "He was someone I worked with, and many memories come to mind. No matter what anyone says, he was a good person and a good actor."

He further explained that his involvement in the statement was a natural response as a colleague, but he also felt a sense of guilt, reflecting, "I should have acted sooner. I wonder why I couldn't do more before such a tragic situation arose."