Actor from South Korea discovered unconscious - Actor from South Korea perishes
In a tragic turn of events, South Korean actor Young-kyu Song, known for his roles in "Extreme Job - The Spicy-Chicken Police," "Narco-Saints," and "Big Bet" on Disney+, has passed away at the age of 55.
His body was discovered in a parked car in the city of Yongin, near Seoul, on Monday morning (August 4) around eight o'clock. Authorities reported no signs of foul play or a suicide note, and the exact cause of death remains officially undetermined, with early speculation suggesting a sudden stroke. Investigations are ongoing.
Young-kyu Song's career spanned over two decades, starting with his debut in the children's musical "Wizard Muruel" in 1994. He established himself as a reliable character actor in supporting roles and gained international recognition with his performance in "Extreme Job - The Spicy-Chicken Police," which was the second most successful film in South Korean history in 2019.
However, his career took a turn in June 2022 when he was involved in a drunk driving incident. His blood alcohol level was high enough to result in the loss of his driver's license in South Korea. This incident led to negative media coverage and consequences for his career. Two series in which he appeared reduced his role or removed him entirely as a result of the incident.
In the wake of the DUI scandal, Young-kyu Song withdrew from a stage production of "Shakespeare in Love" and was absent from cinema and television for a while.
While some speculate that personal issues, possibly including emotional stress from the DUI incident and career consequences, could have contributed indirectly, no official source explicitly connects the death to the drunk driving event. The timing and personal pressures raise questions that remain unanswered.
Young-kyu Song leaves behind a wife and two daughters. His internationally best-known film, "Extreme Job - The Spicy-Chicken Police," is available for streaming on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video.
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Despite the ongoing investigations, speculations suggest that personal issues, including stress from his career consequences after a DUI scandal, may have indirectly contributed to Young-kyu Song's death. In a bid to preserve his reputation and respond to public scrutiny, Young-kyu Song withdrew from future entertainment projects, such as the stage production of "Shakespeare in Love," leading to less exposure of celebrities like him in the limelight.
