South Korean actor Song Young-kyu, best known for his role as Chief Choi in the 2019 box office hit Extreme Job, has died at the age of 55. He was found unresponsive in a parked car in a residential complex in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, south of Seoul, on the morning of Monday, August 4.

According to Korean media reports citing the Yongin Dongbu Police Precinct, Song was discovered at around 8 a.m. local time by an acquaintance. Authorities stated that there were no signs of foul play and no suicide note was found. Investigations are still ongoing.

Just over a week before his death, Song was involved in a drunk driving incident. According to police, he had consumed alcohol with acquaintances and attempted to drive home when he was caught. His blood alcohol level exceeded 0.08 percent, resulting in the revocation of his driver’s license.

Although the case received public attention, Song did not issue a formal statement after the incident. However, the fallout was swift. He was:

Removed from the stage production of Shakespeare In Love at the CJ Towol Theater, Seoul Arts Center, Edited out of scenes in the ongoing TV drama The Defects.

In South Korea, celebrities often face strict public scrutiny, and such controversies can cause immediate damage to their careers.

Song Young-kyu had a long and diverse acting career, appearing in both films and television dramas. Some of his notable roles include: Extreme Job (2019) – as Chief Choi, Tail of the Nine-Tailed, Hyena, Netflix’s Narco-Saints, Disney+’s Big Bet.

At the time of his death, he was appearing as Pastor Yoon Se Hoon in ENA’s Monday-Tuesday drama Eye Shopping and had completed filming for The Defects.

Known for his commanding presence and versatile performances, Song Young-kyu left a strong impression in the Korean entertainment industry. His sudden passing comes as a shock to fans and colleagues alike.

Song Young-kyu is survived by his wife and two daughters. Despite being married, he was reportedly living apart from his family in recent years. According to sources close to the actor, Song had moved into a small apartment in the Bundang area, while his family remained elsewhere.