Veteran Korean actor Song Young Kyu has passed away at the age of 55. According to his family on August 4, he was found deceased in a vehicle located in Cheoin-gu, Yongin City earlier that morning. While the exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed, sources close to the actor believe his mental health took a sharp downturn following public backlash over a recent drunk driving incident.
A close acquaintance told Ilgan Sports, “He was troubled by malicious articles and comments (after the drunk driving reports), and the surrounding circumstances and situation were really tough.”
Police are currently looking into the details surrounding his unexpected passing. His funeral is being held in Special Room 1 at the Davos Hospital funeral home in Yongin.
In late July, it was revealed that Song Young Kyu had been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. He reportedly drove under the influence for roughly five kilometers between Giheung-gu and Cheoin-gu in Yongin on the night of July 19.
Police received a tip from a citizen who suspected drunk driving. He was later stopped, tested, and found to have a blood alcohol level exceeding 0.08%, a level high enough for license revocation.
Following the incident, Song was transferred to the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office without detention for violating the Road Traffic Act. The controversy caused immediate damage to his career. He withdrew from the play “Shakespeare in Love,” where he had been performing at the Seoul Arts Center.
His contract with Management Koo had already expired earlier in June. The agency confirmed he was no longer represented, and he had been working independently at the time of the incident.
Song Young Kyu made his debut in 1994 through the children’s musical “Taoist Meoteol.” His breakthrough role came years later in the 2019 box office hit “Extreme Job,” where he played Chief Choi.
He went on to appear in popular dramas such as “Destined With You”, “Strong Underdog,” “Big Bet.” At the time of his passing, he was actively working in both television and theater. He was starring in the ENA drama “The Defects” and SBS’s Friday-Saturday drama “The Winning Try,” which premiered on July 25.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
