Kim Sae-ron died at her home in Seoul on February 16, 2025. She was 24. A friend found her after she missed their meeting.
“She was found dead and there is no sign of foul play,” a police official told AFP. They believe it was suicide, though they found no note.
Kim started acting at age nine. Her talent showed early. She went to the Cannes Film Festival for “A Brand New Life” in 2009. The movie was about a girl left at an orphanage. Her performance gained international recognition.
In 2010, she starred in “The Man from Nowhere.” She played a kidnapped child. This role won her the Best New Actress award at the Korean Film Awards. She continued to take on diverse roles in film and television.
But in 2022, everything changed. Kim crashed her car while drunk driving in Seoul. The court fined her 20 million won ($13,800). Following negative public sentiment, TV shows cut her scenes. Netflix’s “Bloodhounds” in 2023 was her last show. They edited out most of her parts.
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“I was so happy to meet you as my daughter in the movie,” wrote her co-star Kim Min-che on Instagram after hearing about her death. Actor Kim Ok-bin posted a white chrysanthemum, which means grief in Korean culture.
Kim’s story highlights the challenges young stars face in South Korea’s entertainment industry. They often begin their careers at a young age, facing intense public scrutiny and professional pressure.
Other young stars died recently too. Moon bin from ASTRO died at 25 last year. Actor Song Jae-lim died at 39. Each death has raised concerns about mental health in the entertainment industry.
Entertainment companies now offer counseling services and more flexible schedules. Still, the industry’s competitive nature and intense public scrutiny create significant pressure on performers.
Kim’s last Instagram post came in January. It got 205,000 likes. She had disabled comments on her account.
The police keep looking into her death. For now, friends and fans remember her contributions to Korean cinema and television.
