- Korean actress Kim Sae-ron dies at 24
- Kim rose to fame as a child actress in films like "The Man from Nowhere"
- Tributes pour in from celebrities and fans for the late actress
The Korean film industry is in mourning following the sudden death of actress Kim Sae-ron, who passed away at the age of 24. Kim’s body was discovered at her home in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul, on Sunday.
Kim began her career as a child model in 2001 and made her acting debut in the 2009 film “A Brand New Life” at the age of nine. The film was invited to the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, making her the youngest actor to walk the red carpet.
Kim gained widespread recognition for her role in “The Man from Nowhere” (2010), starring alongside actor Won Bin. Her performance as So-mi, a young girl who is kidnapped and must be rescued, earned her critical acclaim and marked the beginning of her rise to stardom.
Throughout her career, Kim appeared in a range of films and TV series, including “The Neighbors” (2012), “A Girl at My Door” (2014), and “Secret Healer” (2016). Her last appearance on screen was in the Netflix series “Bloodhounds” (2023), although her scenes were largely cut following a controversial drunk driving incident in 2022.
In a handwritten apology uploaded to her Instagram account, Kim expressed remorse for her actions, saying, “Due to my wrong judgment and behavior, I caused so much damage to the store owners, citizens and those who have to restore the property… I should have been more prudent and acted responsibly, but I didn’t. I am truly sorry.”
Kim was fined 20 million won ($13,800) in April 2023 and stepped down from her role in the SBS drama “Trolley” (2022). She was also banned from appearing on KBS broadcasts.
Despite her career being put on hold, Kim continued to be a subject of public conversation. In April last year, she attempted to make a comeback in the play “Dongchimi” but withdrew due to health issues. Just a few months ago, in November 2024, Kim finished filming the movie “Guitar Man,” which is currently in post-production.
According to a report by Edaily, “Guitar Man” follows a genius guitarist joining an underground band called Volcano. The release date of the film has yet to be decided.
Kim had reportedly changed her name to Kim Ah-im and was attempting to start a business and return to the film industry. An acquaintance of the late actor told local media outlet Osen, “She was preparing to open a cafe, while also getting ready to return to the entertainment industry… I still can’t believe it.”
Tributes have poured in for the late actress, with numerous celebrities posting condolence messages and paying tribute to Kim Sae-ron. Actors Kim Ok-vin, Seo Yea-ji, and Seo Ha-jun posted an image of a chrysanthemum flower on their Instagram accounts, while actor Kim Min-che shared a scene from the film “Ordinary People” (2018), saying, “I was so happy to meet you as a daughter in the film.”
Kim’s former agency, Goldmedalist, also sent its condolences, stating, “We send our deepest condolences upon hearing the sad news about Kim Sae-ron. May she rest in peace.”
Kim’s funeral parlor was set up at Asan Medical Center in Songpa District on Monday, with her funeral procession scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
