Netflix Star Dies at 55, Months After DUI Arrest

South Korean actor Song Young-kyu has died at the age of 55. Police say his body was discovered early in the morning by an acquaintance inside a parked car in Yongin, a city just south of Seoul. Authorities told local outlets that there were no signs of foul play, and no suicide note was found.

Song had been in the headlines just weeks earlier. In June, police stopped him for drunk driving after he drove about five kilometers.

His blood alcohol level was high enough to get his license immediately revoked under South Korean law. The incident quickly became a scandal in the country.

Because of this, Song was removed from several projects, including two television dramas and a stage play. He had been playing a corrupt pastor in ENA’s The Defects and a rugby coach in SBS’s The Winning Try. He also lost his role in the stage production of Shakespeare in Love.

Song was a well-known figure in South Korean entertainment, recognized for his strong screen presence and dry humor. International audiences may remember him best as Chief Choi in the 2019 comedy-action hit Extreme Job. He also appeared in Netflix’s Narco-Saints and Disney+’s Big Bet.

He started his acting career in 1994 and went on to appear in dozens of films, TV dramas, and stage productions. Over the years, he built a reputation as a dependable character actor who could bring depth and nuance to supporting roles.

His death has once again drawn attention to South Korea’s intense tabloid culture and the stigma surrounding mental health conversations in the country. As Deadline reports, South Korean police have confirmed they do not suspect foul play in his death.

Song is survived by his wife and two daughters. His passing leaves a significant gap in South Korea’s film and TV industry, where he was beloved both by colleagues and audiences.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!