Beloved South Korean Actor Song Young-kyu Found Dead at 55

South Korean actor Song Young-kyu has died at the age of 55. According to police, his body was discovered early in the morning inside a parked car in Yongin, a city just south of Seoul. He was found by an acquaintance around 8 a.m. local time. Authorities told Deadline that they do not suspect foul play, and no suicide note was found.

Song had been facing public scrutiny in recent weeks. In June, he was stopped by police for drunk driving after driving about five kilometers. His blood alcohol level was high enough for an immediate license suspension under South Korean law. The incident quickly became a scandal and led to his removal from multiple projects.

Because of the charges, he lost his role as a corrupt pastor in ENA’s The Defects and as a rugby coach in SBS’s The Winning Try. He was also removed from the stage play Shakespeare in Love.

International audiences may know Song best as CFhief Choi in the 2019 box office hit Extreme Job. He also appeared in Netflix’s Narco-Saints and Disney+’s Big Bet. In South Korea, he was celebrated as one of the country’s most respected character actors, loved for his serious presence on screen and his dry humor.

Song began his acting career in 1994, building a steady and successful career in film, television, and theater. He was known for bringing depth to every role he played and was considered a reliable and experienced presence in the industry.

His passing has renewed conversations in South Korea about the intense media pressure public figures face, as well as the stigma surrounding mental health.

Song is survived by his wife and two daughters, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a long career in South Korean entertainment.

First reported by Deadline.

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