- Actor Song Young-kyu found dead in parked car in Yongin, age 55
- Known for his breakout role in Extreme Job and long theater career
- No signs of foul play; death renews focus on mental health
Veteran South Korean actor Song Young-kyu, widely recognized for his role as Chief Choi in the 2019 blockbuster Extreme Job, has died at the age of 55.
Local authorities reported that Song was found unresponsive in a parked car in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, south of Seoul, around 8:00 a.m. on Monday. Police confirmed that there were no signs of foul play and no suicide note was discovered. His body was found by an acquaintance.
Song began his acting journey in 1994 with the children’s musical Wizard Mureul and went on to establish a robust career spanning theater, film, and television. He became known for his solid supporting performances in productions such as Trick, Stove League, Baseball Girk, and Hyena. His standout role in Extreme Job, one of Korea’s highest-grossing films, showcased his talent for subtle humor and grounded intensity, making him a respected figure in the industry.
Earlier this year, Song was involved in a DUI case in Yongin, where he reportedly drove five kilometers with a blood alcohol level high enough to merit license revocation. He was subsequently referred to prosecutors without detention. Following the incident, he withdrew from the play Shakespeare in Love and was either cut or had reduced roles in ongoing dramas such as ENA’s The Defects and SBS’s The Winning Try.
Song’s steady, impactful screen presence made him a valued character actor in Korean entertainment. His passing adds to ongoing discussions about mental health and public pressure within South Korea’s entertainment sector, especially in light of recent tragedies involving other celebrities, including the death of actress Kim Sae-ron earlier this year.
