South Korean actor Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seoul on Sunday, nearly two years after she withdrew from the public eye following a drunk driving conviction. She was 24 years old.
Kim’s body was discovered by a friend, and while there were no signs of foul play, police are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
Kim began her career as a child actor and earned widespread recognition, including an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, for her role as a girl abandoned at an orphanage in the 2009 movie A Brand New Life. She later starred in the 2010 action hit The Man from Nowhere, the 2012 mystery thriller The Neighbors, and the 2014 drama A Girl at My Door, among various roles in both film and television.
Her career came to a halt in April 2023 after a Seoul court convicted her of driving under the influence following a car crash in 2022. Kim avoided jail time but was fined approximately $14,000.
Her final role was in Netflix’s 2023 K-drama Bloodhounds. The last post on her Instagram account, which featured a photo of the actor shared in January, has received more than 205,000 likes, though comments have been disabled.
Following the news of Kim Sae-ron’s death, many Korean celebrities paid tribute to her.
“May you rest in peace,” wrote actor Kim Ok-bin on Instagram, sharing a photo of a white chrysanthemum, which is a symbol of grief in many Asian cultures.
Kim’s co-star, Kim Min-che, posted a picture from The Neighbors on Instagram, expressing, “I was so happy to meet you as my daughter in the movie. May you rest in peace.”
The recent deaths of young K-pop idols and K-drama stars have raised concerns about mental health and the pressures within South Korea’s entertainment industry.
Song Jae-lim, a former model who gained fame through K-dramas, was found dead in his apartment in November at the age of 39. ASTRO member Moon Bin passed away last year at 25, while K-pop singer and actress Sulli died at 25 in 2019. Two years prior, SHINee’s Kim Jong-hyun died at age 27.
While entertainment agencies have introduced mental health support programs, such as counseling services and more flexible work schedules, many believe the fierce competition, intense public scrutiny, and high expectations for perfection in both appearance and behavior are impacting the well-being of stars.