Lee Sun Kyun’s Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award stirs criticism and controversy |

The ‘Busan International Film Festival’ rolled out the carpet for the 29th time on October 2. A key highlight of the evening was the posthumous award of the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to the late actor Lee Sun Kyun, renowned for his influential role in the globalization of Korean cinema. This heartfelt tribute resonated deeply with the attendees, many of whom were moved to tears when a touching past interview with Lee was screened.
The festival further honored Lee Sun Kyun by announcing that six of his most notable works would be showcased throughout the event, allowing audiences to reflect on his remarkable contributions to the industry. However, this tribute has not come without controversy.

In the wake of the honour, a major number of netizens expressed their dissatisfaction with the film industry’s portrayal of Lee Sun Kyun, accusing it of “excessively deifying” the actor. This criticism arises from the actor’s stormy period, particularly his involvement in an illegal drug investigation that took place between October and December of 2023. While many acknowledge the distressing treatment he received from law enforcement during this time, questions linger regarding his image as an “innocent victim”.

Some netizens pointed to a leaked phone call recording that purportedly suggests Lee Sun Kyun may have had an extramarital affair with an employee from an adult establishment, who was also involved in a blackmail scheme that resulted in a staggering 300 million KRW being extorted from him.

Critics argue that the film industry has painted Lee Sun Kyun as solely a target of a “witch hunt”, overlooking the nuances of his situation and the implications of his alleged actions. Many expressed discomfort with the story that portrays him as a victim of malicious intent while ignoring the troubling elements that surfaced during the investigation. This has led to a growing sentiment that the industry is failing to address the realities of such situations in a balanced manner.

Adding to the emotional weight of the evening, many attendees felt a palpable sense of disappointment that the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ was not awarded to another late actor, Byun Hee Bong, who had recently passed away on September 18 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 81.