Korean Actress Kim Sae-ron, 24, Found Dead at Home
Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, 24, was found dead at her home in Seongdong District, Seoul, on the afternoon of February 16, 2025. One of her close friends, who had planned to meet her that day, discovered her body and immediately alerted the police. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of death, but they have stated that there are no signs of foul play.
Kim Sae-ron began her acting career at the age of nine and quickly rose to fame with her performances in The Man from Nowhere (2010) and The Neighbor (2012). She was regarded as one of South Korea’s most promising young talents. However, her career took a downturn after a drunk-driving accident in 2022.
The 2022 DUI Incident
In May 2022, Kim Sae-ron was caught driving under the influence, which led to a serious accident in Gangnam, Seoul. She crashed into a roadside transformer, causing a power outage that affected 57 nearby businesses for about three hours, resulting in significant financial losses for local shop owners. Following the incident, she withdrew from the SBS drama Trolley and halted all entertainment activities. She was fined 20 million won (approximately $13,850 USD) and faced intense public criticism.
Struggles After the Scandal
After the scandal, Kim Sae-ron apologized and took steps to make amends, including selling her personal car, directly apologizing to the affected businesses, and compensating for the damages. However, she struggled financially and was even spotted working at a café to make ends meet. Despite efforts to return to acting, she faced public backlash and blacklisting from major broadcasting networks.
Her Final Days
Before her passing, Kim Sae-ron had recently completed filming for the movie Guitar Man in November 2024, which is currently in post-production. She also planned to open a café with friends and had legally changed her name to Kim Ah Im, hoping for a fresh start. A close acquaintance revealed, “She wanted to start over.”
Industry Shock and Public Mourning
Kim Sae-ron’s sudden death has shocked the Korean entertainment industry and fans across Asia. Many have taken to social media to express their sorrow and send condolences to her family.
Despite the challenges she faced in her career, Kim Sae-ron will be remembered as a talented actress who left a lasting impact on Korean cinema.
