South Korean actor Lee Sang-bo has passed away at the age of 45.
According to reports from the entertainment industry on the 28th, Lee Sang-bo was found deceased on the 27th. The police, alerted by a family member's report, are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. Lee Sang-bo's representatives have conveyed that the cause of death will remain undisclosed at the family's request.
Born in 1981, Lee Sang-bo made his debut in the 2006 KBS2 drama 'Invisible Man Choi Jang-soo'. He went on to appear in various productions including 'The Golden Age of Daughters-in-Law', 'Bad Love', 'Rugal', 'Private Lives', 'Miss Monte-Cristo', 'Elegant Empire', and the film 'Mephisto'.
Previously, in 2022, Lee Sang-bo was embroiled in drug use allegations, which were later clarified to be related to prescribed antidepressants and tranquilizers containing trace amounts of narcotic substances, leading to a dismissal of charges. Despite the stigma of being labeled a 'drug actor', he expressed his struggles with depression while attempting a comeback in the KBS drama 'Elegant Empire'.
Last year, he signed an exclusive contract with a new agency, KMG (Korea Management Group), showing a renewed enthusiasm for his career. At the time, the agency stated, "We plan to provide full support," and asked for "a lot of interest and love" as they awaited his next project.
Currently, all posts have been removed from Lee Sang-bo's social media accounts, leaving behind an empty profile that once showcased active engagement, evoking sadness among many.
His memorial service is being held at Room 3 of the Pyeongtaek Central Funeral Home in Gyeonggi Province.
Reporter: Soo-min Lee, Ten Asia danbilee19@tenasia.co.kr