‘Parasite’ Star Lee Sun-Kyun Being Investigated For Drug Use, Will No Longer Star In Dark Comedy ‘No Way Out’

Parasite star Lee Sun-kyun is no longer starring in the film No Way Out — which began production last week — amid allegations of suspected drug use, per The Hollywood Reporter.

In the upcoming dark comedy, the actor was cast as Paik Jung, a detective investigating the contract killing of a man who had just been released from prison after 13 years.

According to THR, Studio X+U, the studio producing the film, released a statement today explaining, “following an unfortunate incident last week with the actor Lee Sun-gyun, he expressed that it would take a considerable amount of time to sort out the current situation and that he will inevitably drop out” from the production.

“The company reached an agreement with Lee’s agency and respects the actor’s position,” the statement continues. “Shooting will continue as scheduled, and there will be no further delay.” 

The actor’s agency, Hodu & U, released the following statement last week, per Variety : “We sincerely apologize for causing concerns over reports about actor Lee Sun-kyun. We are checking the veracity of the suspicions raised against Lee, and will fully cooperate with any future police investigation.”

The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency began an investigation into eight individuals total — including Lee and “the offspring of a chaebol [major family-controlled conglomerate]” — “over allegations they took illegal drugs multiple times this year,” per Yonhap News Agency, via Variety.

According to THR, Lee’s attorney said it’s “difficult to say” if the actor had really taken the drugs, and noted that he “will cooperate with the police investigation in a faithful manner.”

Fellow South Korean actor and Burning star Yoo Ah-in also faced drug charges earlier this year, postponing two of his projects for the foreseeable future.

Nonetheless, Lee has appeared in two recent films still awaiting a theatrical release date: Project Silence, which debuted at Cannes in May, and Land of Heaven, which is in postproduction. He also will reprise his role as Sewon in Season 2 of Dr. Brain, Apple TV+‘s first Korean-language original series.

South Korea’s drug policy is one of the strictest across the globe; the country does not allow for the use of cannabis and carries out random drug testing at entry ports.