The sudden passing of 24-year-old South Korean actor Kim Sae Ron sent a shockwave among fans. As per Seongdong Police in Seoul and Yonhap News Agency, Kim's death has been ruled a suicide, Deadline reported.
Speaking to the media, the police explained, “We believe she made an extreme choice and plan to handle it as a suicide," as per Yonhap News Agency. The police also refused any signs of foul play, adding that they are still investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
Known for her roles in The Man from Nowhere and The Neighbor, the actor was found dead on Sunday at her home in Seoul by a friend, who called police. She was 24.
This has once again sparked concerns about the toxicity and harassment that Korean celebrities endure in the wake of controversies. While many on social media shared their sorrow, others condemned the immense pressure these public figures face, drawing comparisons to Kim Sae Ron’s 2022 DUI incident.
One of South Korea's highly praised and popular actors, Kim's career paused after she was fined 20 million won ($13,800) for driving under the influence in 2022. At the time, she had apologised on her Instagram account, saying "there is no excuse for this distasteful incident." Following the incident, Kim left her role in the SBS drama Trolley shortly after taking it, and she opted not to renew her contract with her agency Goldmedalist later that year.
She was most recently seen as Kim Hyeon-joo in Netflix's Bloodhounds. Kim's work earned in A Girl at My Door won her Best New Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, years after winning the same accolade at the Korean Film Awards for her performance in The Man from Nowhere.