Kim Jong Hak was found dead in the small apartment he rented in South Korea's Gyeonggi Province on Tuesday morning in what police suspect was a suicide, according to the Seoul Broadcasting System.

The 61-year-old director and producer apparently died from carbon monoxide poisoning; in the bathroom where Kim's body was discovered authorities reportedly discovered ignited coal and the bathroom door had been taped shut.

Police also found what appeared to be Lee's suicide note, according to the website allkpop.

"I am sorry to my family," part of the note reportedly said.

Yet police cautioned about jumping to conclusions before the cause of death is officially determined.

"We are currently at the scene doing investigations and collecting evidence," a police official told the Korea Star Daily.

"We received a call from the public and came to the scene afterwards. We have confirmed that the deceased is indeed director Kim Jong Hak, but we can't state the actual cause of death yet as investigations are still undergoing."

A friend of the director said that Kim's death comes as a complete shock to those who knew him, because of his stoicism.

"He always went through ups and downs but he always pulled through," the friend said.

"Even those that were close to him are surprised to hear the news because he usually doesn't express his emotions."

Kim, who produced the hit South Korean television dramas "Detective Inspector," "Sandglass" and "Faith," had been extradited from China earlier this month after he was sued for allegedly stealing production funds and refusing to pay money he owed the "Faith" cast and crew.

Although the case was still pending, the South Korean authorities had barred him from leaving the country.

"Producing director Kim Jong Hak has been faced with a lawsuit for not paying the cast members, along with embezzlement," a Yeongdeungpo Police official explained.

"Since the investigation is taking some time, he has been banned from traveling abroad."

Kim began working for South Korean television station Munhwa Broadcasting Company in 1977.

In 2009, Variety Magazine called him "one of the most acclaimed and influential TV directors in Korea for more than 30 years."

A year ago, KPopstarz sister publication KDramastars spent some time on the set of "Faith" observing Kim direct the actors from the popular drama.

"Let's all work hard together and create a great drama," he told the cast. "'Faith' fighting!"