Cleared of drug allegations, actor Lee Sang-bo found dead at 45 — cause undisclosed

Late Lee Sang-bo / Courtesy of KBS

Lee Sang-bo, an actor who had recently returned to television after being cleared of drug allegations, has been found dead at his home. He was 45.

According to police in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Lee was discovered at his residence around 12:40 p.m. on March 27 after a family member reported the incident. The authorities said no signs of foul play have been identified, and an investigation into the exact circumstances of his death is ongoing.

His agency, Korea Management Group, initially said it was “currently confirming the situation” following reports of his death. The agency later confirmed, saying, "We inform you that our actor Lee Sang-bo has passed away," and added, "We ask for your understanding that the cause of death cannot be disclosed at the request of the bereaved family."

The agency also urged restraint, saying, "We respectfully ask for cooperation in refraining from coverage and visits in order to protect the family."

Lee’s sudden death has renewed attention on his turbulent personal history, including a high-profile controversy that once derailed his career.

Born in 1981, Lee debuted in 2006 with the drama “The Invisible Man Choi Jang-soo” and went on to appear in series such as “Man Who Dies to Live” and “Miss Monte-Cristo.”

In September 2022, he was swept up in allegations of drug use, which drew widespread media coverage. However, the case was later determined to be a misunderstanding related to medication for depression, and he was cleared of all charges.

Lee had reportedly struggled with depression after losing his parents and older sister in an accident in 2009 and had lived alone since.

Although he was exonerated, the aftermath of the allegations continued to affect his career. He said, "Even when I try to live a normal life, people look at me differently," adding, "Some industry officials still believe I actually used drugs, which creates significant risks when trying to return to work."

After a two-year hiatus following “Miss Monte-Cristo,” Lee made his comeback in the drama “The Elegant Empire” and had recently signed an exclusive contract with his agency, signaling plans for renewed activity.

News of his death has triggered an outpouring of shock and grief online, with many expressing sadness over the trajectory of his life — from wrongful suspicion to a hard-fought comeback, and now a sudden passing.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.