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| Lee Sang-bo / Photo=KBS |
[Sports Today reporter Jeong Ye-won] Actor Lee Sang-bo has died. The unexpected news has prompted an outpouring of condolences online.
On the 27th, the Hankook Ilbo reported that Lee had been found dead the previous day. His agency, Korea Management Group (KMG), initially said it was looking into the report and confirmed his passing a few hours later.
The agency asked for understanding, saying, \”We cannot disclose the cause of death at the family’s request,\” and added that a wake has been set up in Room 3 of the Pyeongtaek Central Funeral Home. \”To protect the family, we respectfully request that the press and visitors refrain from attending,\” the agency said. Lee was 44.
Lee made his acting debut in 2006 with the drama ‘Transparent Man Choi Jang-soo.’ He later appeared in television series including ‘The Prime of the Daughter-in-Law,’ ‘Evil Love,’ ‘Rugal,’ ‘Private Life,’ ‘Miss Monte Cristo’ and ‘Graceful Empire,’ as well as the films ‘Secretly, Greatly’ and ‘Mephisto.’
In 2022, he became the subject of an unfair controversy. During the Chuseok holiday, police arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion of illegal drug use, and reports identifying that man as Lee thrust him into the spotlight.
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| Lee Sang-bo / Photo=TV CHOSUN capture |
The incident, however, was a misunderstanding. A passerby who saw Lee stumbling on the street called the police, reporting someone who appeared to be under the influence. Lee had been taking a prescribed sedative at the time and was wrongly accused. In explaining the situation, he also revealed a personal history in which he had already lost his parents and an older sister.
Months later, Lee discussed the episode on the variety show ‘Attack of the Sisters.’ He said he had taken his prescribed sedative and gone to a convenience store when he was suddenly arrested. \”Even though drug tests came back negative, they held me in a cell,\” he recalled. He said his phone was damaged during the arrest, leaving him unable to contact anyone.
\”Then the news reported that a man in his 40s had been arrested on drug charges, and a CCTV clip of me was broadcast,\” Lee said. \”I thought I might not be able to live in this country anymore.\” He also said he had to pay the hospital’s drug test fee, about 1.2 million KRW (about $792), out of pocket.
Once the full circumstances emerged, the public rallied behind Lee with messages of support. He returned to acting in 2023 with ‘Graceful Empire,’ and last year signed an exclusive contract with a new agency as he sought a fresh start. According to OSEN, he had recently poured himself into a new venture — opening a barbecue restaurant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, with his cousin. That effort makes the news of his death all the more poignant.
Lee was known for persevering through life’s setbacks and for continuously working to improve his craft. Though his life was brief, many hope his determination will be long remembered.
[Sports Today reporter Jeong Ye-won ent@stoo.com]
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