On Sunday afternoon, South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, a former child star whose promising career took a dramatic downturn following a drunk-driving incident in recent years, was tragically found deceased in her residence, according to police reports. Ms. Kim, aged just 24, was discovered by a concerned friend who had paid her a visit, as confirmed by the Seongdong Police Station in Seoul. The authorities subsequently announced on Monday that Ms. Kim's demise was a suicide.
Once lauded as one of South Korea's brightest young acting talents, Ms. Kim had retreated from the public eye, absent from any screen appearances since her conviction for drunk driving in 2022, which drew widespread public condemnation. Her passing marks another heart-wrenching chapter in the nation's thriving yet highly pressure-cooker entertainment industry, often scrutinized for its impact on the mental well-being of its rising stars. Experts underscore that a celebrity's popularity often hinges on an unblemished reputation.
In recent years, several young stars in South Korea have taken their own lives, with one victim succumbing to the weight of hate comments for being outspoken, and another after a legal dispute exposed her personal life to public scrutiny.
Ms. Kim's acting journey began in 2009 with a starring role in "A Brand New Life," a film depicting the life of a girl abandoned in an orphanage. At just nine years old, she garnered international attention when the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Her career flourished, spanning both cinema and television, amassing over two dozen credits and earning her numerous accolades in South Korean acting circles.
However, her career took a nosedive in May 2022 after she was apprehended for drunk driving. She collided her vehicle into a guardrail and a transformer, causing a power outage for dozens of nearby businesses for several hours, according to Yonhap News Agency. Her blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit of 0.03 percent in South Korea, registering above 0.2 percent. She was fined 20 million won (approximately $14,000) and faced a deluge of criticism on social media from both the public and influencers who deemed her actions irresponsible. Ms. Kim issued an apology on her Instagram, acknowledging, "There is no excuse for this deplorable incident."
At the time of the accident, Ms. Kim was in the midst of filming a Netflix series titled "Bloodhounds," which was released in 2023. Several of her scenes were ultimately excised from the final edit, as noted by Variety, and she abstained from participating in promotional events with her fellow cast members. Additionally, she resigned from her role in another television drama produced by a local broadcaster.
Following the incident, she largely retreated from public view. Local media speculated that she was attempting a comeback through smaller-budget projects and a stage play. According to IMDb, her final acting credit remains Netflix's "Bloodhounds."
Fans of Ms. Kim took to social media to mourn her loss and pay homage. Her former agency, Gold Medalist, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
