Actress Kim Ok-bin paid tribute to the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
On the 16th, Kim Ok-bin posted a photo of chrysanthemums on her social media, writing, "I sincerely wish for the repose of the deceased." This appears to be a gesture of mourning for Kim Sae-ron.
The Seoul Seongdong Police Station reported that they received a call at 4:54 PM on the 16th regarding Kim Sae-ron being found dead at her home, and they confirmed the death upon arrival. The caller 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 was reported that she was already in cardiac arrest when discovered.
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."
Kim Sae-ron debuted as a model for 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 continued to appear in various works such as "The Neighbors," "Manhole," "Dohee-ya," "Snowy Road," and "Neighborhood People."
While actively continuing her acting and entertainment career, Kim Sae-ron came under scrutiny in 2022 due to a drunk driving incident. At that time, she drove her car near Hakdong Intersection in Gangnam, Seoul, after drinking, crashing into guardrails and transformers on the roadside. She tested positive for alcohol on the police 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% and 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 for 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, she sparked self-dating rumors last March by posting a photo with actor Kim Soo-hyun on her social media.
Kim Sae-ron completed filming for the movie "Guitar Man" last November and was preparing for her return to activities with that film.
※ If you or someone around you is experiencing difficult feelings such as depression, you can receive 24-hour expert counseling through the suicide prevention hotline ☎1393, mental health counseling hotline ☎1577-0199, Hope Line ☎129, Lifeline ☎1588-9191, Youth Line ☎1388, the youth mobile counseling app "All Ears," KakaoTalk, and more.
