South Korean actor Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seoul on Sunday, nearly two years after stepping away from the public eye following a drunk driving conviction. She was 24.
According to police, Kim’s body was discovered by a friend. Authorities found no signs of foul play and are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, a police official.
Kim launched her career as a child actor and quickly gained recognition, earning an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in the 2009 film A Brand New Life, where she portrayed a girl abandoned at an orphanage.
She went on to star in several acclaimed films, including the 2010 action hit The Man from Nowhere, the 2012 mystery thriller The Neighbors, and the 2014 drama A Girl at My Door, alongside numerous other roles in both film and television.
However, her career had been at a standstill since April 2023, when a Seoul court found her guilty of driving under the influence following a car crash in the capital a year earlier. Although Kim avoided jail time, she was fined approximately $14,000.
Her final known role was in Netflix’s 2023 K-drama Bloodhounds.
The last post on Kim’s Instagram, a photo of herself shared in January, has since amassed over 205,000 likes. Comments on her account remain disabled.
Tributes from the Entertainment Industry
Following the news of Kim’s passing, Korean celebrities shared tributes in her memory.
“May you rest in peace,” actor Kim Ok-bin wrote on Instagram, posting a photo of a white chrysanthemum, a flower symbolizing mourning in many Asian cultures.
Kim’s The Neighbors co-star Kim Min-che also honored her on Instagram, sharing a scene from the film and writing: “I was so happy to meet you as my daughter in the movie. May you rest in peace.”
Mental Health Concerns in the Entertainment Industry
The deaths of young K-pop idols and K-drama stars in recent years have continued to raise concerns about mental health and the pressures within South Korea’s entertainment industry.
Actor Song Jae-lim, who first gained fame as a model before transitioning to K-dramas, was found dead in his apartment last November at age 39. ASTRO boy band member Moonbin passed away last year at 25. K-pop singer and actress Sulli was also 25 when she died in 2019, and two years prior, SHINee’s Kim Jong-hyun was found dead at age 27.
In response, entertainment agencies have introduced various mental health support initiatives, including counseling services and more flexible work schedules.
South Korean Actress Kim Sae-ron
However, industry observers note that the fiercely competitive nature of K-entertainment—combined with relentless public scrutiny and expectations of perfection in both appearance and behavior—continues to place immense pressure on stars.
was found dead at her home in Seoul on Sunday, nearly two years after stepping away from the public eye following a drunk driving conviction. She was 24.
According to police, Kim’s body was discovered by a friend. Authorities found no signs of foul play and are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, a police official told.
Kim launched her career as a child actor and quickly gained recognition, earning an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in the 2009 film A Brand New Life, where she portrayed a girl abandoned at an orphanage.
She went on to star in several acclaimed films, including the 2010 action hit The Man from Nowhere, the 2012 mystery thriller The Neighbors, and the 2014 drama A Girl at My Door, alongside numerous other roles in both film and television.
However, her career had been at a standstill since April 2023, when a Seoul court found her guilty of driving under the influence following a car crash in the capital a year earlier. Although Kim avoided jail time, she was fined approximately $14,000.
Her final known role was in Netflix’s 2023 K-drama Bloodhounds. The last post on Kim’s Instagram, a photo of herself shared in January, has since amassed over 205,000 likes. Comments on her account remain disabled.
Tributes from the Entertainment Industry
Following the news of Kim’s passing, Korean celebrities shared tributes in her memory. “May you rest in peace,” actor Kim Ok-bin wrote on Instagram, posting a photo of a white chrysanthemum, a flower symbolizing mourning in many Asian cultures.
Kim’s The Neighbors co-star Kim Min-che also honored her on Instagram, sharing a scene from the film and writing: “I was so happy to meet you as my daughter in the movie. May you rest in peace.”
Mental Health Concerns in the Entertainment Industry
The deaths of young K-pop idols and K-drama stars in recent years have continued to raise concerns about mental health and the pressures within South Korea’s entertainment industry.
Actor Song Jae-lim, who first gained fame as a model before transitioning to K-dramas, was found dead in his apartment last November at age 39.
ASTRO boy band member Moonbin passed away last year at 25. K-pop singer and actress Sulli was also 25 when she died in 2019, and two years prior, SHINee’s Kim Jong-hyun was found dead at age 27.
In response, entertainment agencies have introduced various mental health support initiatives, including counseling services and more flexible work schedules.
However, industry observers note that the fiercely competitive nature of K-entertainment—combined with relentless public scrutiny and expectations of perfection in both appearance and behavior—continues to place immense pressure on stars.
