The passing of actress Kim Sae Ron has sparked an outpouring of tributes from around the world, including Japan, Taiwan, and other countries.
According to Seoul’s Seongdong Police Station, authorities were dispatched on Sunday after receiving a report related to her death. It was confirmed that a friend, who had plans to meet with Kim Sae Ron, made the heartbreaking discovery and alerted the police. At this time, the exact cause of her death remains undetermined.
A police spokesperson stated, “We are investigating the circumstances surrounding her passing. No signs of foul play or criminal activity have been detected.”
Kim Sae Ron first rose to fame in 2001 as a model for the Korean magazine MOM & enfant. She made her acting debut in the 2009 film A Brand New Life.
With a career spanning 17 years, Kim Sae Ron garnered a substantial following in South Korea and internationally. Her passing has made headlines in Japan and Taiwan, both of which have strong followings of Korean entertainment.
The news of her death made waves in Japan, where Yahoo Japan featured the story prominently. Online users expressed their sorrow with comments such as, “She was such a talented child actor, this is heartbreaking,” “She had so much potential, it’s so sad,” and “The most beautiful Korean child star has passed away.”
In Taiwan, tributes flooded social media as well, with fans commenting, “I can’t believe it,” “I loved watching her act, I hope she finds happiness in heaven,” and “Why did she leave us so suddenly? Rest in peace.”
Kim Sae Ron earned instant recognition for her role as Somi in the 2010 film The Man from Nowhere, becoming one of Korea’s most trusted young actresses. She was quickly seen as one of the rising stars in the Korean film industry, with a promising future ahead.
By 2016, while many actresses in their 20s were struggling to make an impact, Kim Sae Ron, alongside fellow teen actresses Kim Yoo Jung and Kim So Hyun, became a prominent face of the so-called Triple Kim Era, dominating both film and television.
Her remarkable acting skills earned her several prestigious accolades early in her career. In 2010, she won the Best New Actress award at the 19th Buil Film Awards, the New Actress award at the 8th Korea Film Awards, and the Best New Actress award at the 11th MaxMovie Best Film Awards, sweeping up trophies in a standout year.
However, the public’s perception of Kim Sae Ron shifted drastically after a drunk driving incident in 2022. In May of that year, she crashed into a transformer and guardrails while driving under the influence in Seoul’s Gangnam district. As a result, she was fined 20 million won (approximately $13,900).
In an attempt to revive her career, Kim Sae Ron joined the cast of the play Dongchimi in April 2023, but she faced ongoing criticism and ultimately stepped down from the production.
Her final project was the film Guitar Man, which she completed in October 2023. Tragically, this film became her last work.
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