Remembering Lee Seon-kyun: Colleagues Reflect on His Legacy Ahead of First Anniversary

The first anniversary of the late actor Lee Seon-kyun's passing is just two days away, and his colleagues are expressing their heartfelt memories and longing for him. On December 24, actor Song Joong-ki appeared as a guest on MBC FM4U's 'A Perfect Day with Lee Sang-soon' while promoting his upcoming film 'Bogota' (directed by Kim Sung-jae). He chose the song 'Adult,' from the OST of 'My Mister' (나의 아저씨), a series in which Lee Seon-kyun starred. Song shared, "I recently started rewatching 'My Mister,' and in just a few days, it will be the anniversary of my beloved brother Lee Seon-kyun. I miss him so much."

Last month, during a screening event for Lee Seon-kyun's final film 'The Land of Happiness' (행복의 나라), directed by Choo Chang-min, Song expressed, "This film represents my process of mourning for Lee Seon-kyun. It’s my personal way of grieving."

Actress Jung Yu-mi also mentioned Lee Seon-kyun at the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards handprint ceremony held in Yeouido, Seoul. When asked about the filming of her lead role in 'Sleep' (잠), she reflected, "I just wanted to do my best each day with the help of the staff and director. Hearing this question made me think a lot about my co-star, Lee Seon-kyun."

In October, a special program titled 'A Beautiful Person, Lee Seon-kyun' was held at the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) to honor him. The event featured six of his notable works, including 'Paju,' 'Our Sunhi,' 'The Drug King,' 'Parasite,' 'The Land of Happiness,' and 'My Mister,' along with a special talk session attended by many in the film industry who still feel his absence.

Actor Jo Jin-woong, who worked with Lee Seon-kyun in 'The Drug King,' shared, "Lee Seon-kyun's smile is captivating. It tells the story of his life. He had a way of connecting with younger colleagues that touched the heart. He was truly a wonderful brother. I didn’t have an older brother, but I felt like I had found a real one in him. I will always remember him, and I hope you all do too."

Jo Jung-seok, who starred alongside Lee Seon-kyun in 'The Land of Happiness,' remarked, "Working with him, I noticed his incredible focus and intensity. He approached filming with passion and was great at breaking the ice with small talk while the crew prepared for the next shot. My strongest memory of him is that dedication. We filmed dialogue scenes for five days, and I still can’t forget how we acted with such heartfelt emotions."

Park Ho-san, who appeared in 'My Mister,' paid tribute with a memorable line from the series: "We believe in you. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s okay."

Lee Seon-kyun tragically passed away on December 27, 2022, after being embroiled in a police investigation involving allegations of extortion and drug use. Following his report of extortion by two women, he became a suspect in a drug case, despite later tests clearing him of drug use. The intense media scrutiny surrounding the investigation contributed to his untimely death. After his passing, a police officer was arrested for allegedly leaking information about the case to the press.