Song Young-kyu, star of one of Korea’s highest-grossing films ever, dies aged 55

South Korean actor Song Young-kyu, best known for starring in Extreme Job, has died aged 55.

The actor was found unresponsive inside a parked car in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, south of the capital Seoul, around 8am local time, according to authorities.

Police have confirmed there were no signs of foul play, and no suicide note was found, as reported by Variety.

It was also said that the actor’s body was discovered by an acquaintance.

Song first rose to fame starring on stage in the children’s musical Wizard Mureul in 1994.

Over the subsequent three decades he appeared in theatre productions, movies and TV shows.

But it was his role as Chief Choi in the 2019 film Extreme Job – which became one of South Korea’s highest grossing films ever – which gained him international attention too.

Throughout his career, Song also had notable roles in Trick, Stove League, Baseball Girk and Hyena.

However, in June this year, he was put under the spotlight after being involved in a DUI incident.

The actor was caught driving five kilometres with a blood alcohol concentration high enough for license revocation under South Korean law in the city of Yongin.

Song was referred to prosecution without detention but soon after stepped down from the stage production of Shakespeare in Love.

He was also removed or had his roles reduced in two dramas airing at the time – The Defects and The Winning Try.

Following his 1994 debut, Song appeared in more than 40 television dramas and numerous films.

He was best known to international audiences for his roles in Netflix’s Narco-Saints and Disney Plus’ Big Bet, which were both released in 2022.

Song is survived by his wife and two daughters.

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