South Korean Actor Song Young-Kyu Passes Away at 55, Days After DUI Controversy

In a tragic turn of events, veteran South Korean actor Song Young-Kyu has passed away at the age of 55, just a week after being embroiled in a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) scandal. His sudden death has shocked fans and the Korean entertainment industry.

🚨 Actor Found Unconscious in Vehicle

According to local media, Song was found unconscious inside a parked vehicle at a townhouse in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province around 8:00 AM on Sunday. Authorities from Yongin Eastern Police Station confirmed that he was declared dead shortly after being discovered.

The police are currently investigating the circumstances of his death, and no official cause has been revealed yet.

📰 Scandal and Public Scrutiny

Just last week, Song Young-Kyu was booked for drunk driving following an incident on June 19, where he was allegedly found with a blood alcohol level exceeding 0.08%—enough for immediate license revocation under South Korean law.

The DUI incident occurred after a night out with friends in Yongin. Song did not issue any public statement, and reports suggest he was deeply affected by malicious online comments and media backlash. A source told Koreaboo, “He was distressed by the malicious articles and comments, and the circumstances were extremely unfavorable at that time.”

🎭 Career Impact and Edits to His Shows

Following the scandal:

Song was removed from the stage production of Shakespeare In Love.

Ongoing dramas like The Defects and Eye Shopping announced changes in response to the controversy.

A spokesperson for The Defects stated, “Since the drama is pre-produced, editing Song’s scenes will be kept to a minimum so as not to disrupt the plot.”

Song had recently portrayed Pastor Yoon Se Hoon in ENA’s Eye Shopping. His passing leaves a deep void in both the theatre and television worlds.

🎬 Who Was Song Young-Kyu?

Debut: Began acting in 1994 with the children’s musical Wizard Mureul.

Known For: Strong theatre background and impactful supporting roles in TV dramas.

Recent Work: The Defects, Eye Shopping, and various acclaimed stage performances.

💔 An Untimely Farewell

As tributes pour in, many fans are remembering Song Young-Kyu not for the controversy but for his contributions to Korean theatre and screen over three decades. The entertainment industry now awaits further details on his passing as investigations continue.