South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, was found dead at her in Seoul home on Sunday afternoon.
24-year-old Kim’s body was discovered by a friend who had visited her house, according to the Seongdong Police Station in Seoul. The police on Monday said Ms. Kim’s death was a suicide.
There were no signs of foul play and officers are investigating the circumstances of her death, a police official told CNN.
Kim began her career as a child actor and gained widespread recognition, including an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, for her role as a girl abandoned at an orphanage in 2009 movie “A Brand New Life.”
She later starred in 2010 action hit “The Man from Nowhere,” 2012 mystery thriller “The Neighbors,” and 2014 drama “A Girl at My Door,” among numerous roles in film and television.
But Kim’s career had stalled since April 2022. Kim’s career suffered after she was caught driving under the influence. She crashed her car into a guardrail and transformer, cutting off electricity to dozens of nearby businesses for several hours, according to Yonhap News Agency, which reported that her alcohol levels exceeded 0.2 percent. Having an alcohol level over 0.03 percent while driving is considered a D.U.I. offense in South Korea.
Her last known role was in Netflix’s 2023 K-drama “Bloodhounds.” She had been cast in Netflix’s Korean original “Bloodhounds,” but most of her scenes were removed. She also withdrew from an SBS drama. In April last year, she attempted a return to acting through a play, but withdrew over health issues amid continued controversy.
An outpour of condolences flooded online forums and social media on Monday following the death of the actress.
Amid the tributes, some also reflected on the harsh public scrutiny Kim endured following her 2022 DUI incident.
In an online statement, her fans emphasized the relentless criticism she faced.
“Kim Sae-ron acknowledged and regretted her past mistakes and tried to rebuild her life, but the level of criticism and cold judgement against her went beyond human limits,” they said.
May her soul rest in Peace.
By Ezinne Okorie.
