Tragedy in the final days of “Penthouse” actor Song Young Kyu’s life, who died unexpectedly in a car
On the morning of August 4, 2025, the Korean entertainment industry was shocked when the Yongin East Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, announced that actor Song Young Kyu had passed away at the age of 55. His body was discovered at 8:00 a.m. (local time) inside a car in the Cheoin-gu area of Gyeonggi Province, following a report made by a woman. Following a preliminary examination of the vehicle, authorities found neither a suicide note nor any signs of foul play. Police sealed off the scene at the time to investigate the cause of the Penthouse star’s sudden death.
Following the news of his passing, close acquaintances revealed that Song Young Kyu had endured an extremely difficult life and faced immense pressure in his final years. The criminal prosecution for violating the Road Traffic Act—specifically driving under the influence—became the final straw that led to his mental breakdown, as he was subjected to relentless malicious comments online.
“He was already under a lot of pressure in life. A decline in acting projects, combined with personal struggles, made things worse. Overwhelmed by stress, Song Young Kyu turned to alcohol to numb his sadness and pain. Although those around him tried to encourage and cheer him up, the tragedy still happened,” a source told Osen at the time.
The acquaintance added that Song Young Kyu was deeply passionate about acting and remained active in the arts, while his wife ran a café. Despite their hard work, an economic downturn and business losses plunged the family into a financial crisis. To earn a living, the actor had to live apart from his wife and two children. The drunk driving scandal in 2025 further derailed his career, leaving him filled with regret and self-blame as his family’s already difficult situation worsened.
“I think he suffered a great deal. I know driving under the influence is wrong, but Song Young Kyu was a very talented person with a kind heart. What happened to him is truly heartbreaking and regrettable,” the source shared.
Prior to his death, the Yongin East Police Station had announced that they were investigating and prosecuting Song Young Kyu without detention on charges of drunk driving. According to authorities, the Penthouse 3 star was arrested at 11:00 p.m. on June 19, 2025 (local time), after police received a tip from the public about an intoxicated driver. Using security camera footage, traffic police tracked his vehicle over a distance of more than 5 kilometers before pulling him over. Breathalyzer results showed his blood alcohol concentration exceeded 0.08%—the legal threshold for driver’s license revocation in South Korea.
Song Young Kyu admitted he had been drinking with an acquaintance before deciding to drive home alone. Following his arrest, he expressed deep remorse and apologized to his colleagues and the public: “My momentary mistake ruined everything. I drank because I was in a bad mood, though I didn’t drink much. I say this not to justify my actions. I broke the law and committed a dangerous act against society. I sincerely apologize.”
The scandal had major repercussions for several high-profile productions he was involved in during the summer of 2025, including the stage play Shakespeare in Love (which premiered on July 5, 2025), the ENA drama The Defects (which aired on July 21, 2025), and the SBS series Try (which aired on July 25, 2025). At the time, the production team of The Defects announced plans to edit out Song Young Kyu’s scenes as much as possible without disrupting the storyline, while the Try crew also sought ways to minimize his screen time.
Born in 1970, Song Young Kyu debuted in 1994 and appeared in more than 100 musicals, television dramas, and films throughout his three-decade career. He became a familiar face to audiences through notable works such as Penthouse 3, Reply 1988, Extreme Job, Memories of the Alhambra, Come and Hug Me, Hwarang, and Gu Family Book.