‘Extreme Job’ actor Song Young-kyu (55) was discovered deceased in his vehicle on January 4th, just 10 days after being charged with drunk driving, according to police reports.
Discovery and Investigation
Gyeonggi Province’s Yongin Dongbu Police Station confirmed that an acquaintance found Song Young-kyu dead in a vehicle at a housing complex in Yongin around 8 a.m. on January 4th. No suicide note was recovered at the scene.
Police officials stated they do not suspect foul play but are considering an autopsy in consultation with the bereaved family to determine the exact cause of death.
Circumstances Leading to Death
A close associate of the actor spoke to Daily Sports about the events preceding his death, revealing that Song had been “troubled by malicious articles and comments” following news of his drunk driving arrest. The source indicated that “surrounding conditions were very difficult” for the actor.
Drunk Driving Incident
Song Young-kyu was arrested on December 19th at 11 p.m. after police responded to reports of suspected drunk driving. The incident occurred as he drove approximately 5 kilometers from Giheung-gu to Cheoin-gu in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province.
Police conducted a breathalyzer test that revealed his blood alcohol content exceeded 0.08%, the legal threshold for license cancellation. Investigators determined Song had been drinking with acquaintances in Giheung-gu before driving home.
Career Impact and Productions Affected
Following the drunk driving charges becoming public, Song Young-kyu was removed from several productions. He withdrew from the stage play “Shakespeare in Love” and was edited out of SBS’s “Try” and ENA’s “I Shopping.”
Acting Career and Legacy
Song Young-kyu began his career in 1994 with the children’s musical “Mutal Dosa.” He gained widespread recognition for his role as “Bang-jang Choi” in the 2019 hit film “Extreme Job.”
The actor had expanded his repertoire in recent years, appearing in popular OTT dramas including “Suriname” (2022) and “Casino” (2022). His versatile performances across stage and screen had established him as a respected character actor in the Korean entertainment industry.
Funeral Arrangements
The funeral for the late Song Young-kyu has been arranged at Room 1 of the Davos Hospital (English Medical Foundation) funeral hall. His wife and two daughters are listed as chief mourners. The burial service is scheduled for 8 a.m. on January 6th, with interment at Hambaeksan Memorial Park.
Fellow actors and fans continue to pay their respects, mourning the sudden loss of the talented performer who had remained active in the industry until his recent troubles.
