Actor Song Young Kyu found dead at 55

Actor Song Young Kyu, who recently faced backlash over a drunk driving incident, has been found dead at the age of 55.

According to the Yongin Dongbu Police Station, Song was discovered in a parked vehicle within a residential complex in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, around 8 a.m. on August 4. Authorities responded to a report made by a woman and are currently investigating the cause and circumstances of his death. Back in June, the actor made headlines after being caught driving under the influence.

On June 19 around 11 p.m., he reportedly drove about 5 kilometers from Giheung-gu to Cheoin-gu after drinking with acquaintances. His blood alcohol level was said to exceed 0.08%, a level that warrants license revocation. He was referred to prosecutors without detention. Following the DUI incident, Song stepped down from the stage production Shakespeare in Love.

The team behind ENA’s drama The Defects, in which he had completed filming, announced they would minimize his screen time. Meanwhile, SBS’s The Winning Try stated that his role was too minor to be immediately edited out; he appeared as originally filmed in the July 26 episode.