Kim Sae Ron, the talented South Korean actress known for her roles in The Man from Nowhere and The Neighbors, tragically passed away on February 16, 2025, at the age of 24. Her death, discovered by a close friend, has left many in shock. The police, as reported by The Korean Times, found no signs of foul play and are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her passing.
Below are 10 key facts about the late actress:
Who Was Kim Sae Ron? 10 Things the Late South Korean Actress
1. She was born on July 31, 2000.
Kim Sae Ron was born on July 31, 2000, making her only 24 years old at the time of her death. Despite her youth, she had already built an impressive career in the entertainment industry.
2. She was a former child star.
Kim Sae Ron started acting at the age of nine and her very first gig was a starring role in a movie called Brand New Life directed by French-Korean filmmaker Ounie Lecomte. The film was loosely based on her life and was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. Rae Son is notably the youngest actress to be invited to the prestigious festival. She has also acted alongside Won Bin in the top-grossing blockbuster flick of 2010 called The Man From Nowhere, where she played the daughter of a heroin addict who is kidnapped by an organized crime ring.
3. She has received multiple awards for her stellar acting performances.
In 2010, Sae Ron received both the Best New Actress award at the Korean Film Awards and Buil Film Awards. While in 2013, Sae Ron was recognized yet again at the MBC Drama Awards for her performance in The Queen's Classroom which earned her the Best Young Actress Award. Her winning streak continued in 2014, when she received two Best Actress awards for her performance in A Girl at My Door at the 35th Blue Dragon Film Awards and Golden Cinematography Awards.
4. Her first mature lead-acting role was in Snowy Road.
The two-part made-for-TV drama series featured Sae Ron as a 15-year-old comfort woman during Japanese-occupied Korea. Her performance was praised by both critics and viewers alike, and was actually given a theatrical release because of the positive response from audiences. She was then awarded Best Actress in a Foreign Film at the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival for the role.
5. She was once signed with YG Entertainment.
Back in 2016, Sae Ron shared the same agency as BLACKPINK and did multiple projects under the label, including the Korean remake of the American thriller Leverage, before her contract expired in 2019.
6. She was once signed with GOLDMEDALIST for two years.
Sae Ron reportedly signed with GOLDMEDALIST back in 2020 and joined their roster of artists including Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Yea Ji. But without explanation, the actress decided to not renew her contract with the agency back in December 2022.
7. Kim Sae Ron was charged with drunk driving back in May 2022.
It was reported that the actress was driving under the influence in the Gangnam district and damaged public and private property in the process; though no one was physically hurt because of the incident. In a handwritten Instagram post, Sae Ron released a heartfelt apology that read:
"First, I am sorry to inform you of the position after arranging the accident and damage situation. Yesterday May 18, 2022 around 8 am in Gangnam, I had an accident that damaged public property. I made a big mistake while drinking.
I caused damage to so many people, including merchants, citizens, and those who restored it. I should have acted more carefully and responsibly, but I couldn't. I sincerely apologize.
We are working out the damage caused by the accident together with the company. I will do my best to communicate and actively resolve the matter until the end. I am very sorry to my fellow actors and staff as well as the production team for disrupting the production of the work that was being filmed and prepared.
Once again, we deeply apologize and apologize for causing concern. There is no excuse for this unfortunate incident. I am disappointed and very ashamed of the mistakes I have made."
8. She was supposed to star in the 2022 SBS drama "Trolley" but was replaced because of her drunk driving controversy.
In a sad turn of events, Sae Ron was dropped from the drama due to her DUI charge. Her role was then given to actress Jung Soo Bin instead.
9. She was previously linked to "Queen of Tears" lead actor Kim Soo Hyun.
In 2023, the actress landed in some hot water after posting an Instagram Story photo with Queen of Tears lead actor Kim Soo Hyun.
The viral image in question featured the two stars posing cheek-to-cheek. Naturally, the internet was quick to screenshot the image and circulate it online coupled with speculation that the two might be dating.
Swiftly, Kim Soo Hyun's agency responded and denied the rumors. In a translated response released on Soompi, GOLDMEDALIST formally clarified that the lead actor is not in a relationship with Kim Sae Ron. The statement reads:
"Hello. This is GOLDMEDALIST.
We are making an official statement regarding Kim Soo Hyun’s photo that was spread today.
We are informing you that Kim Soo Hyun’s dating rumors are not currently true. The photo that has been spread online appears to have been taken in the past, when [Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron] were under the same agency, and we are completely unable to understand the motivation behind Kim Sae Ron’s action [of posting the photo].
Due to the photo in question, unnecessary misunderstandings and groundless speculation about our actor are currently running rampant, and we will be taking strong legal action through our legal representative in response to malicious slander and insulting posts that defame our actor’s character or honor.
We ask that you refrain from writing rumors or groundless speculation regarding this matter. Thank you."
10. She was a dedicated animal welfare advocate.
A scroll through her Instagram account would reveal that Kim was an active advocate for animal welfare, often promoting the adoption of pets over purchasing them. She volunteered at animal shelters across Korea, sharing her experiences to raise awareness about abandoned animals and the importance of care and adoption.
May Kim Sae Ron rest in peace.
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