Late ‘Parasite’ Actor Lee Sun Kyun Remembered at BIFF: A Special Tribute to His Lasting Legacy

The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) kicked off on Wednesday. It honored the legacy of the late Lee Sun Kyun, who passed away unexpectedly last year. This year, the Korean Film Contribution Award was posthumously awarded to him.

Park Bo Young, who hosted the opening ceremony, expressed her condolences, saying, “It’s such a tragic farewell,” adding, “Like the final goodbye in the drama My Mister, I hope he has found peace now.”

In addition to the awards, a special program titled In Memory of Lee Sun Kyun has been organized. It will showcase six of his notable works: Paju, Our Sunhi, A Hard Day, Parasite, Land of Happiness, and My Mister, along with a special talk session.

During the special talk titled Remembering Lee Sun Kyun: Land of Happiness on Thursday, actors Cho Jung Seok and Yoo Jae Myung, who collaborated with Lee Sun Kyun on his final film, reminisced about their experiences with him.

Cho Jung Seok reflected on their time together, stating, “I noticed his unparalleled focus. His intense and powerful approach stands out to me.” He also mentioned, “While the crew prepared for the next shot, he excelled at breaking the ice with small talk and always looked out for others. That’s my lasting memory of him.”

Overcome with emotion, Cho Jung Seok shared, “Honestly, it was very sad at first. Now, I feel like I can’t see him often, but it seems like he’s still out there somewhere.” In response, Yoo Jae Myung said, “I’m managing well, but I also feel a bit vulnerable,” adding, “If I miss Sun Kyun, I can just watch our film, so I see it as a gift.”

On the same day, Cho Jin Woong also became emotional while recalling memories of Lee Sun Kyun during the special talk titled Remembering Lee Sun Kyun: A Hard Day. He stated, “He was such a great brother. I don’t have a biological brother, but I felt like I gained a true brother in him,” adding, “Even when working on other projects, we supported each other.”

Meanwhile, Lee Sun Kyun was under police investigation last October due to allegations of drug use. He underwent three rounds of questioning related to the drug allegations and tested negative in both preliminary and forensic examinations. Tragically, he passed away while under investigation, prompting widespread sorrow. Following his death, cultural figures held a press conference demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lee Sun Kyun’s case. They urged the establishment of measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.