A group of prominent South Korean artists, including acclaimed film director Bong Joon-ho, have come together to call for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of actor Lee Sun-kyun. Lee, who played a lead role in Bong's Oscar-winning film Parasite, was found dead last month in what appeared to be a case of suicide. He was 48 years old.

At a press conference held in Seoul on Friday by the newly formed Association of Solidarity of Cultural Artists, influential figures from the entertainment industry urged authorities to probe the police and media handling of Lee's death in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future. This display of unity and criticism is exceptionally rare in South Korea's entertainment scene, where celebrities often face relentless public scrutiny with little chance of recovery.

Lee was under investigation for alleged drug use at the time of his death and had reportedly undergone a grueling 19-hour police questioning session just the weekend before. The Association of Solidarity of Cultural Artists demanded a thorough inquiry into potential leaks to the press during the investigation, as Lee's case was subject to extensive media exposure without protective measures.

Bong Joon-ho, in his statement, called for an investigation into any possible lapses in the police's investigative process. He also raised concerns about the biased reporting, particularly the emphasis on Lee's personal life, and questioned whether undue requests were made to exploit Lee's status as a public figure in the entertainment industry.

It was revealed that Lee had claimed to have been tricked into taking drugs. The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency referred two women to the prosecution for further investigation and potential indictment on charges of blackmailing, as they allegedly extorted 350 million won from Lee. Additionally, Lee had requested that his final police interrogation be kept private, but his plea was denied. Instead, he was paraded in front of the media during his arrival at the Incheon police station, where his suspected drug use was extensively covered, including details unrelated to the investigation.

The group of artists is now urging all media outlets, including national broadcaster KBS, to delete articles they deem as irresponsible reporting. They are also calling on the government and the National Assembly to review existing laws that protect the human rights of artists.

Representatives from cultural and arts organizations, including the influential Busan International Film Festival and the Directors Guild of Korea, as well as actors Choi Deok-moon and Kim Eui-sung, joined the artists in their demand for a thorough investigation.

In recent years, the South Korean entertainment industry has seen a troubling number of celebrities, particularly pop stars and actors, taking their own lives. This tragic trend has led to increased scrutiny and crackdowns on alleged illegal drug use, with authorities attempting to address the issue and prevent further loss of life.