#SHOWBIZ: South Korean actor Song Young-kyu found dead at 55

By NST in August 4, 2025 – Reading time 1 minute

SEOUL: South Korean actor Song Young-kyu, aged 55, was found dead in a parked car in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, on Monday morning, according to police.

The authorities have stated there are no signs of foul play and an investigation is underway, the Korea Herald reported.

They plan to interview his family to better understand the circumstances of his death.

A veteran actor with a career spanning three decades, Song was well-known for his supporting role as a tough squad chief in the 2019 box office hit Extreme Job.

His international recognition grew with appearances in popular streaming series like Netflix’s Narco-Saints and Disney+’s Big Bet, both released in 2022.

The actor’s career had recently come under intense scrutiny following a drunk-driving incident on June 19. Police revealed that Song had been arrested after driving approximately 5km in Yongin with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 per cent, which is above the legal limit for a driver’s licence revocation.

The case had been passed on to prosecutors, pending an indictment.

In the wake of this incident, Song was swiftly removed from two high-profile dramas currently in production—ENA’s The Defects and SBS’ The Winning Try—as well as the stage play Shakespeare in Love.

This swift industry response is common in South Korea, where public figures are held to strict moral standards.