Who was Song Young Gyu? The Winning Try actor found dead amid drunk driving scandal and forced K-drama exits
Song Young Gyu discovered dead in vehicle in Yongin
According to an exclusive report by MBN, Song Young Gyu was discovered collapsed inside a vehicle parked near a townhouse in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, around 8 a.m. on Sunday. A friend reportedly found the actor and immediately contacted authorities. The Yongin Eastern Police Station has since confirmed his death and stated that an investigation is currently underway. At the time of discovery, no signs of foul play were reported, but further details are being examined to determine the circumstances of his death.
DUI charges and removal from projects followed prior to Song Young Gyu's death
Song had recently come under public scrutiny following a drunk driving incident on June 19. According to police, he drove approximately 5 kilometers from Giheung-gu to Cheoin-gu in Yongin while intoxicated, with a blood alcohol concentration over 0.08%—a level high enough to warrant license revocation under Korean law. He was sent for prosecution without detention, and the incident led to his removal from the stage production of Kim Yoo Jung and Jung So Min's Shakespeare in Love. Industry insiders say the situation deeply affected him both professionally and personally in recent weeks.
Ongoing projects in limbo as production teams scramble
At the time of his death, Song was actively appearing in two television dramas: SBS's The Winning Try as Daesang High School rugby coach Kim Min Joong, and ENA's The Defects (also referred to as I Shopping) as Pastor Yoon Se Hoon. Both dramas had already begun airing and are now facing major editing challenges. Production staff from both shows confirmed they were 'internally discussing' how to handle the situation, with plans to reduce or re-edit his scenes where possible. Cast and crew were reportedly blindsided by the news, having learned of his death through media reports.
Who was Song Young Gyu? A respected veteran of stage and screen with a powerful presence
Born in 1970, Song Young Gyu made his theatrical debut in 1994 with the children's musical Merutal Dosa and steadily rose through the ranks as a reliable supporting actor. He gained wide recognition for his role as Chief Choi in the 2019 box-office hit Extreme Job and went on to appear in acclaimed dramas like Suriname and Casino. Some of his most recent dramas are The Ghost Clients, Destined With You, and Love Scout. In his three-decade-long career, he appeared in over 50 dramas and movies, making him one of the most recognisable faces of Hallyuwood.
Known for his depth and versatility, Song carved out a unique space in Korean entertainment with his commanding performances and charismatic screen presence. His sudden death has left colleagues and fans reeling, with many expressing disbelief over the tragic news.
For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
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