Tragic Loss: Korean Actor Lee Sang-bo Found Dead at 45 – What Happened?

Actor Lee Sang‑bo has died. He was 45 years old.

On March 27, the Hankook Ilbo reported that police discovered Lee dead on March 26 and that officers who responded to a family call are investigating the exact circumstances of his death.

His agency, Korea Management Group (KMG), told multiple outlets it is confirming the report.

Born in 1981, Lee made his acting debut in 2006 on the KBS drama The Invisible Man: Choi Jang‑su. He went on to appear in series such as Miss Monte Cristo and Elegant Empire, and in films including Secretly, Greatly and Mephisto.

In 2022, police detained Lee after responding to a tip about a man who appeared intoxicated and wandering the street. Authorities later said the episode stemmed from a misunderstanding: Lee had been taking antidepressants and sedatives prescribed for depression, which drew public attention at the time.

Lee denied any wrongdoing but told reporters that the incident felt like a turning point and that he wanted to be remembered for his work as an actor.

Earlier this year he signed an exclusive contract with his current agency and appeared poised for an active season of work, making the news of his sudden death all the more tragic. Meanwhile, sources say all posts from the social media accounts he managed have been deleted, prompting further public curiosity.