The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of actress Kim Sae-ron, whose tragic passing has been confirmed as a suicide.
According to multiple reports, including The New York Times, police ruled Sae-ron’s death as self-inflicted on Monday, February 17. “We believe she made an extreme choice and plan to handle it as a suicide,” a police official told Yonhap News Agency.
Sae-ron, just 24 years old, was found at her home on Sunday, February 16, by a friend who had come to visit, the Seongdong Police Station in Seoul told The New York Times. While authorities have not found any signs of foul play, they are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Sae-ron began acting at a young age, making her debut in 2009’s A Brand New Life. She quickly rose to fame with acclaimed performances in The Man From Nowhere, The Neighbors, A Girl at My Door, Snowy Road, and The Villagers. Most recently, she starred in Netflix’s 2023 series Bloodhounds.
However, her career faced setbacks following a drunk driving incident in May 2022. She was fined approximately $14,000 after her blood alcohol level was found to be over 0.2 percent—well above South Korea’s DUI threshold of 0.03 percent.
Following the incident, Sae-ron took responsibility and issued a public apology, acknowledging the harm caused. “I caused an accident in Gangnam around 8 a.m. on May 18, damaging public property. At the time, I was drunk and made a big mistake,” she shared in a statement on Instagram.
She expressed deep remorse for the impact on businesses, citizens, and those involved in repairs, vowing to take responsibility. “I should have acted more carefully and responsibly, but I was unable to do so. I sincerely apologize,” she wrote.
Sae-ron also extended her apologies to her colleagues in the industry, recognizing the disruption the incident caused to ongoing projects. “There is no room for excuses for this unfortunate incident, and I am disappointed and ashamed of my own mistakes. I will deeply reflect so that something like this will never happen again,” she concluded.
Her passing is a heartbreaking loss for the entertainment world, and her contributions as an actress will always be remembered. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support—you are not alone.