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The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will pay tribute to the late South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, star of the Oscar-winning film Parasite, by posthumously presenting him with the prestigious Korea Cinema Award and showcasing a selection of his most memorable works.
Lee Sun-kyun, a beloved figure in South Korean cinema, passed away in December 2023 at the age of 48. His untimely death, which occurred amid a police investigation into alleged drug use, sent shock waves through the entertainment industry and sparked widespread public concern. Now, the Busan International Film Festival seeks to honor his contributions to Korean cinema and create a space for reflection and remembrance.
The Korea Cinema Award, presented by BIFF, is a distinguished honor bestowed upon filmmakers who have significantly elevated the status of Korean cinema and contributed to its global recognition. This year, the award will be given to Lee Sun-kyun in recognition of his remarkable career and the impact he had on both domestic and international audiences. The award ceremony will take place during the opening of the festival on October 2.
To further celebrate Lee Sun-kyun’s legacy, BIFF will feature a special screening program showcasing six of his most notable film and television works. The selection includes his globally acclaimed role in Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite (2019), which earned the actor international fame for his portrayal of the wealthy and shallow patriarch. Other featured works include Our Sunhi (2013), a portion of the TV series My Mister (2018), and his final release, Land of Happiness (2024), in which he played a military soldier during South Korea’s authoritarian period in the 1970s.
Lee Sun-kyun’s career spanned over two decades, during which he garnered critical acclaim for his versatile performances. A graduate of the prestigious Korea National University of Arts, Lee made his debut in the early 2000s and quickly established himself as a charismatic and skilled actor. He portrayed a wide range of characters, from a charismatic chef to a genius neuroscientist incapable of empathy, showcasing his ability to bring depth and nuance to each role.
One of Lee’s most celebrated performances was in the 2018 TV drama series My Mister, where he played a diligent architectural engineer. The role earned him widespread praise and further solidified his status as one of South Korea’s leading actors. However, it was his appearance in Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite that catapulted him to global stardom. The film’s unprecedented success, including its historic wins at the Academy Awards, brought Lee Sun-kyun’s talent to the forefront of international attention.
The Busan International Film Festival’s decision to honor Lee Sun-kyun comes at a time when the circumstances surrounding his death have sparked discussions about privacy and media ethics in South Korea. Following the actor’s passing, a police officer came under investigation for allegedly leaking confidential details of Lee’s case, which critics claim led to intense mainstream media coverage and a surge of damaging and unverified videos on social media platforms.
BIFF’s tribute to Lee Sun-kyun aims to shift the focus back to his remarkable accomplishments and the profound impact he had on Korean cinema. The festival organizers expressed their intention to create a meaningful memorial space where fans, colleagues, and industry professionals can come together to remember the late actor and celebrate his contributions.
The Korea Cinema Award has previously been presented to other influential figures in the film industry, including the late South Korean actress Yoon Jeong-hee, French film critic Charles Tesson, and Goran Topalovic, co-founder of the New York Asian Film Festival.
With AFP
