Actress Kim Sae-ron has passed away, and it is reported that she was preparing for a new beginning with a name change.
The Seoul Seongdong Police Station stated that they received a report at 4:54 PM on the 16th that Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home, and they confirmed her death upon arrival. The reporter was identified as an acquaintance who had an appointment to meet Kim Sae-ron.
The police transported Kim Sae-ron to the hospital, but she was pronounced dead, and it is reported that she was already in cardiac arrest at the time of discovery.
A police official stated, “No signs of external intrusion or criminal suspicion were found, but we are continuing to investigate the circumstances of her death.”
In the meantime, according to Edaily, Kim Sae-ron recently changed her name to 'Kim Aim' and was preparing for a fresh start. The media reported, based on statements from Kim Sae-ron's acquaintances, that “Kim Sae-ron was preparing to open a café and return to the entertainment industry with friends.”
Kim Sae-ron debuted as a model in the magazine 'Anfang' in 2001 and began her acting career with the film 'Traveler' in 2009, gaining public recognition through the movie 'The Man from Nowhere' in 2010. She has since appeared in various works such as 'The Neighbors', 'Manhole', 'Dohuiya', 'Snowy Road', and 'Neighborhood People'.
Kim Sae-ron, who was actively involved in acting and entertainment, came under scrutiny in 2022 due to a drunk driving incident. At that time, Kim Sae-ron drove her car near Hakdong Intersection in Gangnam, Seoul, after drinking, crashing into guardrails and transformers on the roadside. She tested positive on the police's breathalyzer but refused to undergo a blood alcohol concentration test by the police and had her blood drawn at a nearby hospital.
According to the National Forensic Service's blood analysis, Kim Sae-ron's blood alcohol concentration at the time of the accident was approximately 0.2%, significantly exceeding the license suspension threshold of 0.08%, indicating she was heavily intoxicated.
Ultimately, Kim Sae-ron was referred to the prosecution and was fined 20 million won through a trial in May 2023. As a result, she suspended her activities in the entertainment industry, including the drama she was appearing in. At that time, her agency, Golden Medalist, stated that Kim Sae-ron was deeply reflecting on her clear mistakes.
Afterward, Kim Sae-ron aimed for a return to acting after two years through the play 'Dongchimi', but faced difficulties due to strong negative public opinion. Eventually, she withdrew from the play due to health reasons.
During her hiatus, Kim Sae-ron shared updates about working part-time at a café, but this too was viewed negatively by the public. Additionally, in March of last year, she posted a photo with actor Kim Soo-hyun on her SNS, leading to self-inflicted dating rumors.
Kim Sae-ron completed filming for the movie 'Guitar Man' in November of last year and was preparing for her return to activities with that film.
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