Song Young Kyu tributes pour in: K-drama co-stars and crew mourn the actor's tragic death

Actor Song Young Kyu’s recent passing has prompted official statements from the teams behind his currently airing dramas, The Winning Try and The Defects.

On August 4, SBS’s The Winning Try shared, “We express our deepest condolences over the heartbreaking news and sincerely wish the deceased peace. We also extend our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.”

Addressing how the drama will proceed, the production team added, “As previously mentioned, ‘The Winning Try’ is a pre-produced drama. Aside from the episodes already delivered to the global OTT platforms, minimal editing is being carried out only in the later episodes to the extent that it does not disrupt the flow of the story.”

ENA’s The Defects also offered their tribute, stating, “We express our condolences on the tragic news of the late Song Young Kyu and pray for his peaceful rest.” They further clarified, “‘The Defects’ has already been fully edited and will air without additional modifications.”

In The Winning Try, Song Young Kyu played Kim Min Joong, a rival rugby coach to Yoon Kye Sang’s character, Joo Ga Ram. In The Defects, he portrayed Yoon Se Hoon, a corrupt megachurch pastor.

On the morning of August 4, authorities from the Yongin Dongbu Police Station in Gyeonggi Province confirmed that actor Song Young Kyu was found deceased inside a vehicle at a residential complex in Yongin around 8 am. KST. His body was discovered by an acquaintance, who immediately notified the police.

Officials stated that there were no signs of foul play at the scene, and no suicide note was found.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. They are interviewing family members and considering an autopsy to determine the exact cause.

Earlier this year, on June 19, Song was involved in an incident in which he drove approximately five kilometers under the influence in Yongin. The case was later forwarded to the prosecution.

The incident became public about a month later, leading Song Young Kyu to step down from his role in the stage production Shakespeare In Love.