His sudden death has shocked the entertainment industry and his fans alike. Many are expressing sadness over how the pressure and public scrutiny may have impacted his mental health.
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South Korean actor Song Young-Kyu, best known for his role as Chief Choi in the hit film ‘Extreme Job’ (2019), has passed away. He was found dead in a parked car in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, a city just south of Seoul, on Monday. He was 55 years old.
According to local reports, a friend discovered Song unconscious inside the vehicle and immediately informed the police. Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of his death.
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However, they have said that there were no signs of foul play, and there was no suicide note.
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His death comes just weeks after he was a part of a drunk driving case. In mid-July, Song was found driving under the influence in Yongin. His license was revoked following the incident, and he was sent to prosecutors without being arrested.
In South Korea, DUI (driving under the influence) is a very serious offense. And, it can severely damage a person’s reputation, especially for public figures.
Following the incident, Song stepped down from multiple acting projects. He withdrew from a stage play based on ‘Shakespeare in Love’, as well as television dramas like ENA’s ‘The Defects’ and SBS’s ‘The Winning Try’.
Friends and industry insiders said that he was deeply troubled by the criticism and negative media coverage that followed the DUI case.
According to a report by Koreaboo, “He was distressed by the malicious articles and comments, and the circumstances were extremely unfavourable at that time.”
Song Young-Kyu started his acting journey in 1994 with a children’s stage musical called ‘Wizard Mureul’. Over the next three decades, he built a career that spanned theater, film, and television. While his breakout role in ‘Extreme Job’ earned him international recognition, he was also praised for his performances in ‘Hyena’, ‘Trick’, ‘Baseball Girl’, and ‘Stove League’.
His sudden death has shocked the entertainment industry and his fans alike. Many are expressing sadness over how the pressure and public scrutiny may have impacted his mental health.
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