It has been a year since the tragic passing of actress Kim Sae-ron.
Kim Sae-ron was found deceased at her home in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on February 16th last year. She was 25 years old. Her sudden death sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.
Born in 2000, Kim Sae-ron debuted in the entertainment industry as a magazine model in 2001. She gained attention in 2009 when she was cast as the lead in director Lee Chang-dong's film 'A Brand New Life,' beating out 1,000 other hopefuls. She walked the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival as the youngest attendee, earning the title of 'genius child actor.'
Her popularity soared with the success of the 2010 film 'The Man from Nowhere.' She continued to build her career with roles in 'The Neighbors,' where she played dual roles, and 'A Girl at My Door,' which also took her to the Cannes red carpet. Her filmography includes 'I Am a Dad,' 'Barbie,' 'Manhole,' 'Manshin,' and 'Ordinary People,' as well as dramas like 'Can You Hear My Heart,' 'The Queen's Classroom,' 'Glamorous Temptation,' and 'Mirror of the Witch.'
However, in May 2022, she was caught in a DUI incident, leading to a halt in her career. She was fined 20 million won, and her contract with her agency, Gold Medalist, was terminated. She withdrew from the drama 'Trolley,' and her scenes in the Netflix series 'Bloodhounds' were edited out. Her attempt to return to the stage with the play 'Dongchimi' was met with public backlash, leading to her departure.
After her passing, a dispute arose regarding her relationship timeline with actor Kim Soo-hyun. Her family claimed they dated for about six years, starting when she was a minor, and alleged that her former agency imposed a debt of 700 million won, causing her significant stress. Kim Soo-hyun's side countered, stating the relationship began after she became an adult. Both parties pursued legal action, with Kim Soo-hyun holding a press conference to state his position and filing a lawsuit for damages against her family.
Following her death, her final works were released. In May last year, the film 'Guitar Man' premiered, where Kim Sae-ron played the role of a keyboardist named Yoo-jin, who grows alongside her bandmates. The proceeds from the 'Guitar Man' OST were donated to the Korea Suicide Prevention Center.
On March 4th, the film 'We Are Each Other,' co-starring Lee Chae-min, will be released. This coming-of-age romance explores the love and friendship of a confused 17-year-old, marking Kim Sae-ron's final project.
Previously, actor Lee Jong-hyuk paid tribute to Kim Sae-ron on social media, writing, "Sae-ron... my little neighbor with the same birthday... rest in peace. I regret not being able to buy you a drink. I hope you smile brightly where you are."
Kim Sae-ron's short life will be remembered through her work.
Reported by Kim Se-ah, Ten Asia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr