On February 16, Kim Sae Ron passed away suddenly at her home in Seoul, South Korea, shocking the public and her peers. Initial police reports suggest that the young actress may have taken her own life.
Her passing left colleagues mourning and fans heartbroken. The hidden struggles of the actress once hailed as a “genius of acting” began to surface.
Rising Star and Wealthy Actress of Korean Cinema
Kim Sae Ron (born in 2000) began her acting career at the age of nine and quickly became one of the most beloved child stars in South Korean cinema.
The actress made a name for herself through numerous works in both film and television, including A Brand New Life, The Man from Nowhere, and Listen to My Heart.
At just 11 years old, she landed her first TV role in Listen to My Heart, which earned her recognition from both industry professionals and Korean audiences.
Despite her young age, the 25-year-old actress amassed an impressive portfolio of performances, receiving numerous prestigious awards and nominations. She also attended the Cannes Film Festival in France twice, in 2009 and 2014.
Films like Mirror of the Witch and The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim helped Kim Sae Ron shine brightly as a mature actress. She was considered one of the most promising talents in South Korea’s film industry. Awards from the Blue Dragon Film Awards, Golden Cinematography Awards, and MBC Drama Awards solidified her status in Korean entertainment.
Kim Sae Ron was one of the few former child stars who maintained her appeal into adulthood. She worked tirelessly across various fields such as acting, hosting, and modeling.
After 15 years of relentless work in the entertainment industry, Kim Sae Ron accumulated a fortune worth billions of won. In 2020, she proudly showcased her luxurious apartment in Seoul Forest The Sharp, South Korea, valued at 2.3 billion won (approximately $1.7 million).
The actress also drove a luxury car worth 50 million won ($36,000). The car involved in her accident was valued at 100 million won ($72,000).
The Dark Side Behind the Glittering Fame of a “Genius Actress”
Kim Sae Ron once shared that her family faced significant hardships. The actress grew up in a single-parent household. Her mother, a former top student at Seoul National University, became pregnant as a student while pursuing love. This affected her academic career and made finding employment difficult.
After her divorce, Kim Sae Ron’s mother fell into depression while struggling to raise three daughters. The challenging circumstances led her to exhibit self-destructive behaviors, profoundly impacting the young star’s personality and worldview, haunting her into adulthood.
Kim Sae Ron’s mother recounted how her daughter would wake up in the middle of the night, fearing her mother might take her along to commit suicide. Due to financial struggles, Kim Sae Ron entered the entertainment industry to support her family. At just nine years old, she landed her first role and quickly gained recognition.
Most of the films Kim Sae Ron starred in were horror-themed, far beyond her age. Directors often required the young actress to express complex emotions. Thanks to her natural talent, Kim Sae Ron delivered outstanding performances and was dubbed a “genius actress” by the media.
Entering the entertainment world at such a young age, Kim Sae Ron faced challenges similar to other child stars. She lost her childhood, living under immense pressure from the media and fans from an early age.
Kim Sae Ron once revealed that she filmed scenes while running a high fever of 40°C and endured harsh weather conditions. Additionally, she had to care for her depressed mother and two younger sisters.
She was also a victim of bullying at school. On the show Knowing Bros aired on JTBC, the actress recounted being ostracized and bullied by classmates. Insulting messages targeting her appeared on school walls and grounds.
As a celebrity, she bore the weight of public expectations. Criticism about her appearance and acting skills left her fearful and anxious.
The Car Accident That Ruined Her Career Completely
In May 2022, Kim Sae Ron, while driving under the influence, crashed into roadside trees and a transformer, causing a power outage affecting 57 nearby businesses for nearly five hours. The incident occurred at a crossroads in Gangnam, Seoul, and the young star was caught attempting to flee the scene.
South Korean media reported her blood alcohol level exceeded 0.2%, enough to revoke her driver’s license. The incident drew heavy criticism, damaging her reputation, derailing her career, and leaving her with substantial compensation payments.
Following the accident, Kim Sae Ron visited affected businesses to apologize and compensate them. She also posted an apology on her social media: “I have caused harm to so many people. I should have acted more cautiously and responsibly, but I failed to do so. I sincerely apologize.”
Since the serious traffic accident in May 2022, Kim Sae Ron stopped acting, withdrew from entertainment events, and her management company terminated her contract.
The scandal involving the car accident and fleeing the scene pushed the 25-year-old star’s career into a dead end, leaving her in dire financial straits. She liquidated nearly all earnings from over 15 years in the entertainment industry to settle compensation contracts with partners.
During the 2023 trial, Kim Sae Ron’s lawyer admitted she had sold nearly all her assets to cover compensation payments to partners. According to South Korean media, Kim Sae Ron had to pay 20 million won (approximately $14,500) in damages and was banned from several TV networks. She reportedly worked as a waitress and took on various jobs to make ends meet.
Also during the 2023 trial, she bowed her head in apology to the public, expressing feelings of shame and regret. She said, “I am truly sorry. I deeply regret my actions and have reflected on them extensively. I have quit drinking and sold my car. I am the primary breadwinner for my family, and it is now very difficult to get by day-to-day.”
The Korea JoongAng Daily noted that drunk driving could destroy an artist’s career in South Korea. Alongside violent crimes, drunk driving is considered one of the gravest offenses a celebrity can commit in the country.
“Driving under the influence is a terrible crime. If you drink and drive, your car becomes a weapon on the road. Many innocent people suffer severe consequences due to drunk drivers. How can public figures return to the entertainment industry and stand before the camera?” commented My Daily Korea.
While reflecting on her mistakes, the actress also faced controversies, such as partying with friends while awaiting trial and posting misleading photos with actor Kim Soo Hyun. Kim Sae Ron’s impulsive actions gradually eroded her public image, leading to her inclusion on the list of banned artists.
Before her passing, a friend revealed that Kim Sae Ron planned to return to the entertainment industry with a short film and open a café.
The Haunting Deaths of Stars at Age 25 in Korean Entertainment
The Guardian published an analysis of the tragedies surrounding South Korean stars who passed away at a young age. They noted that the Korean entertainment industry is incredibly harsh, and mental health care for artists seems largely neglected.
Artists in the Korean entertainment industry often sign contracts with numerous clauses from their teenage years, binding their careers tightly to management companies from the start.
Throughout their careers, they are not allowed to make behavioral mistakes and must consistently please their fans. Even minor errors can cost them their careers and futures.
Public expectations, near-exhaustion workloads, and loneliness are seen as factors making the mental health of Korean artists fragile. Before Kim Sae Ron, another South Korean star shocked the nation by passing away at age 25—actress and singer Sulli.
In October 2019, Sulli took her own life at her home, shocking the public. Before her death, Sulli faced years of loneliness and despair from depression and the pressures of working in the entertainment industry.
Before her passing, Sulli shared on a TV program: “I feel like many people hold heavy prejudices against me. Please try to understand me a little more. Dear friends and audience, please cherish me a bit more, and dear reporters, please show me some love.”
Sulli admitted she always tried to hide her true emotions, pretending to be happy to mask her loneliness. “My life feels extremely empty. I keep pretending to be happy, and it makes me feel like I’m deceiving everyone,” she said.
Following Sulli’s passing, the South Korean government considered enacting the “Sulli Law,” mandating real-name usage for social media accounts and curbing malicious comments. With this move, the South Korean government hoped to protect victims of online violence and prevent further tragedies.
