South Korean actress Kim Sae-Ron was found dead in her home at the age of 24 on Sunday. According to Seoul police, it was a suicide case. Based on the Yonhap news reports, the Seoul Police official said, “We believe she made an extreme choice and plan to handle it as a suicide.”
As per Soompi, Seoul Seongdong Police Station had a call made to them around 5 PM KST on Sunday. No evidence of a crime was confirmed by authorities, including illegal entry. “We are in the process of investigating the circumstances surrounding her death,” a source at the police department said. The actor was found by one of her friends she was scheduled to meet.
Police Case & DUI Incident
Kim had a history of being implicated in a 2022 DUI (driving under the influence) case. In May 2022, Kim Sae-Ron had a car accident while driving drunk, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.2 percent, which is twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. The accident left a blackout on 57 businesses. She afterward released a handwritten apology, regretting her actions.
Following the affair, she also quit as a cast member for the drama Trolley and took a low-profile approach to dealing with the media. She went to trial after having crashed her vehicle in Gangnam District, slashing electricity for tens of businesses.
Today, following her death, internet posts have once more fueled arguments that South Korea is too aggressive on cancel culture and that celebs are placed under too constant a spotlight.
Fans Reaction to Cancel Culture
Fans have filled social media with bad comments, with most of them criticizing the drastic repercussions of cancel culture. One X (formerly Twitter) user said, “Getting bullied to death for a DUI is insane. South Korea isn’t a real country.”
Getting bullied to death for DUI is crazy South Korea ain’t a real country https://t.co/QSjVivXVNs
— #SellLewandowski (@eightBallondor) February 16, 2025
View this post on Instagram.
Another commented, “People think this is about taking DUI lightly, but it’s really about misplaced priorities.”
The fans were also mourning her premature demise. “She could have done so much more,” one wrote. “The entertainment world is too cruel to young stars,” another said. A fan said, “WHAT??? I was looking forward to watching her in Bloodhounds Season 2. South Korea’s cancel culture is too much.”
Condolence from fans filled the media with comments. “Rest in Peace, Kim Sae-Ron. The world needs more love and forgiveness,” one comment stated. Another user mused, “Perfectionist culture is killing beautiful souls. May she rest in peace.”
Making her debut in 2009 with A Brand New Life, Kim Sae-Ron became known for The Man from Nowhere. Her most recent work was the 2023 Netflix series Bloodhounds. Even with the controversy surrounding her, most recall her ability and the pressures of fame.
