Actor Lee Sang-bo overcame being falsely accused of drug use and succeeded in a comeback, but the entertainment industry fell into mourning after he died on his 20th anniversary since debut. It is especially regrettable that traces of his past were erased and the cause of death was not disclosed.
Lee Sang-bo, who debuted in 2006 through KBS' Transparent Man Choi Jang-soo, celebrated his 20th anniversary since debut this year. He continued his acting career appearing in dramas such as drama 'Romance Hunter', 'The heyday of daughters-in-law', 'Bad Love', 'Special Investigation Unit MSS', 'The iron color', 'The man who must die to live', 'Rugal', 'Private life', 'Miss Monte Cristo', 'Graceful Empire' and films such as 'Kisarazu Cats Eye World Series', 'Secretly, Greatly', 'Mephisto'.
Lee Sang-bo, who suffered heartbreaking family tragedies including his older sister dying in 1998, his father in 2010, and his mother in 2019, experienced severe depression and panic disorder. While taking prescribed antidepressants and tranquilizers, he was reported on Sept. 10, 2022, for walking as if intoxicated by medicine and was arrested by police on suspicion of drug use. At the time, Lee Sang-bo was reported to have taken medicine along with alcohol on a holiday, and he cleared his name of the drug use accusation and regained his honor.
Lee Sang-bo vowed to make a comeback and was able to return to the set as an actor by appearing in 'Graceful Empire' soon after. After successfully finishing the project, Lee Sang-bo said he wanted to prepare his acting so thoroughly that it would overturn that incident and show it to people, and he expressed his determination to imprint 'actor Lee Sang-bo' through acting in the future.
Lee Sang-bo, who wanted to keep his promises, signed an exclusive contract last year with Korea Management Group (KMG), which includes An Jae-mo and Lee Soo-kyung, and found a new home. His will to live a second acting life after the false drug accusation with a new partner was evident. Lee Sang-bo also continued life fiercely by opening a barbecue restaurant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, with his cousin.
Although Lee Sang-bo lived a life full of passion and reached his 20th anniversary since debut, he died without being able to celebrate it. He was found dead on the 26th, and police who responded to the scene after a family report are currently investigating the exact circumstances of his death.
The agency said it would not disclose Lee Sang-bo's cause of death at the request of the bereaved family. The agency asked for cooperation, saying, "For the protection of the bereaved family, we politely decline reporting and visits." Meanwhile, Lee Sang-bo's cousin did not disclose the cause of death in a phone call with OSEN and conveyed a mournful and devastating feeling, saying, "My feelings are complicated."
Meanwhile, Lee Sang-bo's funeral hall was set up in room 3 of Pyeongtaek Central Funeral Hall. The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on the 29th.
[OSEN]