South Korean Actor Song Young-kyu Dead at 55 After Being Found in Parked Car

South Korean actor Song Young-kyu, who starred in the 2019 box office hit Extreme Job, has died.

Song was found unresponsive inside a parked car in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, south of Seoul, around 8 a.m. local time on Monday, August 4, multiple outlets reported. He was 55.

According to Variety, an acquaintance discovered his body and called authorities.

Police later confirmed there were no signs of foul play and no suicide note was found.

Before his death, Young-kyu appeared on the Korean TV show titled The Winning Try.

“We express our deepest condolences over the heartbreaking news and sincerely wish the deceased peace,” Seoul Broadcasting System said in a reported statement. “We also extend our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.”

Regarding the actor’s scenes, the production team reaffirmed a previous statement, saying, “As previously mentioned, The Winning Try is a pre-produced drama. Aside from the episodes already delivered to the global OTT platforms, minimal editing is being carried out only in the later episodes to the extent that it does not disrupt the flow of the story.”

ENA’s The Defects team also shared a statement after learning Young-kyu — who appeared on their show — had died.

“We express our condolences on the tragic news of the late Song Young Kyu and pray for his peaceful rest,” the production team stated. “The Defects has already been fully edited and will air without additional modifications.”

In June, Young-kyu was reportedly caught in a drunk driving incident in Yongin, with a blood-alcohol level above the legal threshold for license revocation.

After the alleged incident, the case was forwarded to prosecutors and was awaiting indictment.

The actor was subsequently removed from several projects, including a stage production of Shakespeare in Love, per Deadline and Variety.

Born in 1970, Young-kyu made his debut in a 1994 children’s musical based on the animated show Wizard Mureul. Over time, he built a steady career that spanned nearly three decades across theater, film and television.

While his appearance in Extreme Job cemented his status as a reliable character actor, he continued to find success in projects like The Greatest Marriage, Investigation Partners and Hyena.

Before becoming an actor, Young-kyu graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theater from Seoul Arts College. When he wasn’t booked on various TV shows, the actor served as a special professor in the Department of Acting Arts at Semyung University.

Young-kyu is reportedly survived by his wife and two daughters.