Lee, who was 48 years old, was found dead in a car in a central Seoul park on Wednesday, it said.

Police officers earlier said they discovered an unconscious Lee at an unidentified location in Seoul on Wednesday.

South Korean Yonhap news agency reported Lee’s wife as having alerted police after he left home and she found what appeared to be a suicide note.

Police have investigated Lee previously over alleged illegal drug use. South Korea has extremely tough laws on illegal drugs.

Once celebrated for his wholesome image, local outlets reported that the actor was being dropped from television and commercial projects following allegations of drug use.

Lee briefly spoke to reporters in October before entering a police station to meet with investigators.

“I sincerely apologise for causing great disappointment to many people by being involved in such an unpleasant incident,” he said at the time.

Breakout hit of 2020

“Parasite,” directed by Bong Joon Ho, is a dark comedy thriller about members of a poor family who manipulate their way into the lives of a wealthy family.

Lee played the head of the wealthy family. The film explores themes of class inequality in modern-day South Korea.

In 2021, Lee won a Screen Actors Guild award for “cast in a motion picture” for his role in the same film.

Bong, who was already an acclaimed director at home, also took the prize for best screenplay and best director at the 2020 Oscars.

Lee was also nominated for the best actor at the International Emmy Awards for his performance in the sci-fi thriller “Dr. Brain” last year.

He is survived by wife and actress Jeon Hye-jin and two sons.