Korea grieves Kim Sae-ron's death under weight of public scrutiny

Actor Kim Sae-ron, 24, was found dead at her home in Seoul's Seongdong District, Sunday, according to police. Captured from Kim's Instagram

By Pyo Kyung-min

• Published Feb 17, 2025 3:06 PM KST
• Updated Feb 18, 2025 8:52 AM KST

Kim Sae-ron, a former child actor who rose to fame at an early age, was found dead at her home on Sunday. She was 24.

Seoul's Seongdong Police Station said it received a report about Kim's death around 5 p.m. when a friend of Kim discovered her body while visiting her residence.

The police said there were no signs of forced entry or foul play, nor did they find a will or note left by Kim. During a regular briefing at the National Office of Investigation on Monday, officials stated that Kim's death is presumed to be a suicide and will be handled as an unattended death case.

Born in 2000, Kim's acting career began in 2009 with the film "A Brand New Life," a joint production between Korea and France led by producer Lee Chang-dong. The movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, making Kim the youngest Korean actor to walk the red carpet at the event.

Kim's breakout role came in 2010 with "The Man from Nowhere," a Korean action-thriller film starring renowned actor Won Bin. The film, despite its R rating, attracted more than 6 million viewers, earning Kim an early reputation for her acting prowess.

In 2014, Kim co-starred with Bae Doo-na in "A Girl at My Door," which was also screened at Cannes, marking her second appearance at the event at just 14.

Kim was also a familiar face on television, appearing in series such as "Listen to My Heart" (2011), the sitcom "Mom is Acting Up" (2012) and "Queen's Classroom" (2013). These roles cemented her status as one of Korea's most recognized child actors.

However, her career took a sharp turn following a drunk driving incident in May 2022, as she was transitioning into more mature roles. Driving under the influence, Kim crashed her vehicle into a roadside electrical transformer near an intersection in Seoul's Hak-dong, Gangnam District, causing a temporary power outage in the area.

The incident immediately led to professional repercussions.

Most of the scenes she filmed for the 2023 Netflix show "Bloodhounds" were edited out, with another actor replacing her for the series' later episodes. She was also dropped from several upcoming dramas, even receiving a broadcast suspension from national broadcaster KBS.

Despite her efforts to return to the industry, public sentiment remained unfavorable. Kim attempted a theatrical return through stage acting in April 2024 but later cited health issues when she withdrew from the production following continued backlash.

Financial hardship followed, with reports stating that the actor was spotted working at a coffee shop. During a 2023 court appearance, she revealed that she was the family's sole breadwinner and that she was struggling with compensation payments after the accident.

In the fall of 2024, Kim joined the cast of the upcoming film "Guitar Man," signaling her determination for a fresh start. She had also reportedly changed her name in hopes of a new beginning.

Her sudden death sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with colleagues expressing their condolences. Actor Kim Ok-vin posted a photo of white chrysanthemums with the caption, "Rest in peace." Actor Seo Yea-ji shared a similar tribute on Instagram.

Her former agency, Gold Medalist, issued an official statement, saying, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of Kim Sae-ron's passing. May she rest in peace."