Lee Sang-bo, 45, was found dead on March 27 at his home in Pyeongtaek City. According to the Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Police Station, his family discovered him around 12:40 p.m. and alerted authorities. Officials stated that no signs of foul play have been detected, and an investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause and circumstances of his death.
Lee Sang-bo's agency Korea Management Group (KMG) said in a statement, "We are currently identifying the situation. We kindly ask for your understanding that the cause of death cannot be disclosed at the request of the bereaved family. We respectfully decline interviews and visits to protect the bereaved family, so we ask for your cooperation."
Born in 1981, Lee Sang-bo made his acting debut in 2006 with the drama Invisible Man Choi Jang-soo and later gained recognition through projects like The Man Who Lives by Dying and Miss Monte Cristo.
In September 2022, he was embroiled in drug use allegations, which were later clarified as a misunderstanding linked to his prescribed antidepressant medication, resulting in a no-charge outcome. While an initial test reportedly showed a positive reaction, a hospital examination soon after returned negative results.
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Following the controversy, Lee openly spoke about the emotional toll, denying any drug use and expressing distress over being labeled a 'drug actor'. He also addressed the incident publicly, sharing that dealing with the situation and its aftermath was deeply challenging.