SEOUL: Renowned South Korean actor Song Young-Kyu has been found dead inside a parked car, according to international media reports.
The 55-year-old actor was discovered in the Yongin area of southern Seoul. Authorities have confirmed the recovery of his body from the vehicle. This tragic incident comes just weeks after Song Young-Kyu was arrested in June for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.
Yongin Dongbu Police Station has launched a comprehensive investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding his death. Officials have not ruled out conducting an autopsy but stressed that all possibilities are currently under consideration and the cause remains undetermined at this time.
In June, Song was involved in a drunk-driving incident, driving approximately 5 kilometers with a reported blood alcohol level exceeding 0.08%, high enough under South Korean law to warrant license revocation. After the incident became public, he was referred to prosecution. Consequently, he was dropped from stage and television projects, including Shakespeare in Love, The Defects, and The Winning Try.
Song Young kyu’s three-decade-long career began in 1994 with theater work and expanded into film and television. He earned widespread recognition for his supporting role as Chief Choi in the 2019 blockbuster Extreme Job, one of the highest-grossing films in South Korean cinema. He also appeared in international series like Netflix’s Narco Saints and Disney+’s Big Bet.
Following the DUI scandal, reports emerged that Song was deeply affected by harsh public criticism and online harassment. Citing a source, media outlet Koreaboo said he was “distressed by malicious articles and comments” and that the fallout created “extremely unfavorable circumstances” for him in recent weeks.
Song Young kyu is survived by his wife and two daughters. No official statement has yet been issued by his family. As investigations continue, fans and industry colleagues are left awaiting clarity on this sudden and tragic loss to Korean entertainment.
