South Korea’s entertainment industry is in mourning following the untimely death of actress Kim Sae-Ron, who was found dead in her Seongdong-gu, Seoul apartment on February 16, 2025. The 24-year-old actress, known for her performances in 'The Man from Nowhere' and 'A Brand New Life', was reportedly planning a comeback after a career setback due to a drunk driving incident in 2022.
Kim Sae-Ron's Death: What We Know So Far
Kim Sae-ron’s body was discovered by a friend who had planned to meet her that day. When the friend arrived at her home and found her unresponsive, they immediately alerted the police around 4:50 PM - 5 PM local time.
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The cause of her death remains unknown, and the police have launched an investigation.
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Authorities have not found any signs of foul play so far.
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Further details regarding her passing are yet to be disclosed.
A Promising Career That Began in Childhood
Kim Sae-Ron was born in Seoul, South Korea on July 31, 2000. She made her acting debut at the age of 9 and quickly rose to fame due to her exceptional performances.
Kim gained recognition for her natural acting skills, leading to prominent roles in both movies and television dramas.
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Debut & Early Breakthroughs
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A Brand New Life (2009) – Marked her debut as a child actress.
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The Man from Nowhere (2010) – Became South Korea’s highest-grossing film that year.
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The Neighbor (2012) – Solidified her reputation as a young acting powerhouse.
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Lead Roles & Further Success
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A Girl at My Door (2014)
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Snowy Road (2015)
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Mirror of the Witch (2016)
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The Villagers (2018)
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Leverage (2019)
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The Great Shaman Ga Doo-shim (2021)
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Final Project
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Bloodhounds (2023, Netflix) – Her last major project before her passing.
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Kim won multiple "Best New Actress" awards throughout her career, including accolades for 'A Brand New Life', 'The Man from Nowhere', and 'Mirror of the Witch'.
The 2022 DUI Incident & Its Impact on Her Career
In May 2022, Kim Sae-ron’s career took a significant hit when she was caught driving under the influence (DUI) in Seoul. She crashed her car into a roadside electrical transformer which led to a power outage affecting 57 businesses for nearly 3 hours.
Consequences of the Incident
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Her driver’s license was revoked after the crash.
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She publicly apologized via a handwritten letter and a statement through her agency.
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She was fined 20 million won ($13,850 USD) in April 2023.
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The incident resulted in public outrage, leading her to step down from multiple acting projects, including the drama 'Trolley'.
In South Korea, DUI offences carry a serious social stigma, and Kim faced intense public backlash, including online trolling. Her reputation suffered, and she struggled to secure new acting roles. The backlash was severe, making it difficult for her to regain her career momentum.
Attempts at a Comeback
Despite the setback, Kim attempted to restart her acting career multiple times:
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In April 2024, she was reportedly set to return to the entertainment industry but withdrew from a project due to health issues.
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She signed on for a new film, The Guitar Man, but there were no updates on its production status.
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Apart from acting, she was also planning to open a café as an alternative source of income.
A close acquaintance stated,
"She said she’d make money acting again after making a comeback with The Guitar Man. She was preparing to open a café while also getting ready to return to the entertainment industry. I still can’t believe it."
Unanswered Questions & Ongoing Investigation
While authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of her death, many questions remain unanswered:
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Did personal struggles or mental health issues contribute to her passing?
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Was she facing professional or financial difficulties?
For now, her sudden departure has left a deep impact on fans and colleagues in the South Korean entertainment industry.
Final Thoughts
The news of Kim’s untimely death has deeply affected her colleagues, friends, and fans. Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment industry, mourning the loss of a young actress whose career was cut short by controversy and personal struggles.
Kim Sae-Ron’s journey from a child prodigy to a fallen star is a reminder of the highs and lows of fame. While she was a celebrated actress, her career and life took a tragic turn following her DUI incident.
Her death at just 24 years old leaves behind a legacy of impressive performances, but also serves as a somber reflection on the pressures faced by young actors in South Korea’s entertainment industry.
Rest in Peace, Kim Sae-Ron (2000 - 2025).
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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