Lee Sang-bo Passes at 44 After Clearing Drug Use Allegations

South Korean actor Lee Sang-bo was found dead by a family member on Thursday. Authorities are investigating the exact cause of death. His agency said on Friday, March 27, that it was working to confirm the circumstances.

Lee Sang-bo was 44. He had previously been cleared of drug use allegations.

Career highlights

Born in 1981, Lee launched his acting career in 2006. His debut came in the KBS2 drama Invisible Man Choi Jang-su.

• Bad Love
• Private Lives
• Graceful Empire
• Golden Era of Daughters-in-Law
• Secretly, Greatly

He returned to television a year after the controversy in the KBS drama The Elegant Empire. He remained a familiar face in both series and films.

Allegations and police decision

In 2022, Lee faced drug use allegations. Investigators later found the reports were linked to prescribed antidepressants.

Those medications were prescribed after he suffered multiple family losses. He had lost his sister and his parents one after another.

Police concluded there was insufficient evidence. They closed the case without referring it for prosecution.

Aftermath and response

Following news of his death, Lee’s social media posts were removed. His agency continues to liaise with authorities and family.

Filmogaz.com will update this story as new information becomes available.

Lee Sang-bo, 44, had been cleared of the drug use allegations prior to his passing. The investigation into his death remains active.