Explosive Revelations: Leading Actor Ousted from Hit K-Drama Amid Drug Scandal

Lee Sun-kyun, who gained fame for his role in Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning film "Parasite," has been dropped from a new K-drama following allegations of drug use in South Korea.

Dong-ik, the accomplished CEO of a technology company, enjoys a life filled with luxuries and ease. In the film, Dong-ik is portrayed as having a certain detachment, frequently disconnected from the experiences of his family members, and Sun-kyun flawlessly embodies this character.

However, the actor's professional future has become uncertain due to allegations of drug use.

Parasite star removed from K-drama amid drug use allegations

Lee Sun-kyun has been dropped from the upcoming K-drama No Way Out after coming under police investigation for suspected drug use. 

The upcoming series, currently in production, will revolve around a detective pursuing a criminal fresh out of jail after a 13-year sentence.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, production company Studio X+U has issued a statement stating that they are actively seeking a replacement for the actor Lee Sun-gyun. The statement mentioned that due to an unfortunate incident last week, Lee Sun-gyun expressed the need for a significant amount of time to address the current situation, leading to his inevitable departure from the project.

The company has come to an agreement with Lee's agency and fully supports the actor's stance. The shooting will proceed as planned, without any additional postponement.

This development follows an investigation initiated by the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency into eight individuals, including Sun-kyun, following a tip-off regarding their alleged drug use at their residences and clubs in Seoul, South Korea's capital.

A statement revealed that during an investigation focused on drug-related activities within entertainment establishments in Gangnam, authorities received information about the involvement of a celebrity in drug use. Currently, an internal investigation is underway involving eight individuals, including L, a male actor in his 40s.

According to Forbes, the police have recently asked for a hair sample to verify whether he consumed marijuana. In South Korea, this is considered a grave crime that may result in a prison sentence of up to five years or a hefty fine of around 50 million won, equivalent to approximately $37,250 as of October 2023. Sun-kyun's lawyer neither confirmed nor denied his purported drug use, but expressed that the actor will wholeheartedly cooperate with the police inquiry.

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