Leading French Media Highlights Aftermath of Lee Seon-gyun's Death
Quoting Sungkyunkwan University Professor: "A Kind of Puritanism"
Regarding the death of actor the late Lee Seon-gyun, French media pointed out that "Korean society demands high morality from public figures." On the 14th (local time), the French daily Lib?ration stated, "Lee Seon-gyun, who gained worldwide fame through the film ‘Parasite,’ appealed his innocence after being accused of drug use, and despite testing negative in drug tests, he became the focus of intense media coverage during every police investigation." It also mentioned that he underwent a 19-hour police interrogation shortly before his death.
"Media bombardment even after negative results... Morality shattered"
The outlet noted, "Such incidents have accumulated over a long time in Korean society," citing K-pop idol star Moonbin and singer Haesu, who passed away last year. It also analyzed the suicides of prominent politicians such as former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon in 2020 and former President Roh Moo-hyun in 2009, stating, “This accumulation raises questions about the relationship between Korean society and celebrities.”
Professor Antoine Coppola, who teaches French film history at Sungkyunkwan University, told the media, “It is difficult for the French to understand, but public figures in Korea have long been expected to set an example,” adding, “There exists a kind of Puritanism where everything public must conform to social dogma (rigid beliefs, doctrines, or theories).”
The media stated, "Based on Professor Coppola’s explanation, one can fully imagine the extent of the disgrace Lee Seon-gyun endured after being investigated for alleged drug use and visiting entertainment establishments," adding, "The careers of many filmmakers, including Lee Seon-gyun, have been shattered on the altar of morality." It further noted, "Actress Kim Min-hee suffered millions of dollars in losses after her affair with married director Hong Sang-soo was exposed, and since then, she has only acted in Hong’s films."
The media also introduced movements within the Korean cultural community condemning police and media pressure following the death of the late Lee Seon-gyun. It pointed out, “Following his death, major figures in the film industry, including director Bong Joon-ho of ‘Parasite,’ are urging the enactment of laws to protect artists’ human rights in his name,” and emphasized, “This death is sounding an alarm for many.”
Director Bong Joon-ho and others demand 'Lee Seon-gyun Prevention Act'... Political discussions underway
On the 12th, at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, directors Bong Joon-ho, Jang Hang-jun, Lee Won-tae, singer Yoon Jong-shin, actors Kim Eui-sung, Choi Deok-moon, and other popular culture artists attended the statement announcement titled "The Demands of Cultural Artists Facing the Death of the Late Actor Lee Seon-gyun." Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@
Earlier, on the 12th, the Cultural Artists Solidarity, composed of cultural and artistic figures such as director Bong Joon-ho, singer Yoon Jong-shin, and actor Kim Eui-sung, released a statement titled ‘The Demands of Cultural Artists Facing the Death of the Late Actor Lee Seon-gyun.’ They called for a thorough investigation into the police’s handling of Lee Seon-gyun’s case and demanded the deletion of articles that did not align with journalistic purposes.
They also requested the political sphere to enact or amend laws to prohibit the public disclosure of criminal cases and to protect human rights. The statement was supported by about 2,000 film industry workers, including former Busan International Film Festival executive director Kim Dong-ho and actor Song Kang-ho, as well as 29 organizations such as the Korean Film Directors Association. Consequently, discussions about the so-called ‘Lee Seon-gyun Prevention Act’ are emerging in the political arena.
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