Kim Sae-Ron death: South Korean actress's final Instagram post honors late ASTRO K-pop star Moonbin
Kim and Moonbin shared a close bond, both having been signed to S.M. Entertainment
South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, known for her role in Bloodhounds, tragically died by suicide, police confirmed after discovering her body at her Seoul home on Sunday.
A friend found her and alerted authorities. The police said, "We believe she made an extreme choice and plan to handle it as a suicide," as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
Heartfelt tribute to Moonbin
Just before her death, Kim Sae-ron paid a heartfelt tribute to late K-pop star Moonbin, who passed away in 2023, with his death suspected to be a suicide. The two had worked together on the 2015 web series To Be Continued. On January 26, which would have been Moonbin’s 27th birthday, Kim shared photos from the show with the message "HBD" (Happy Birthday).
Kim and Moonbin shared a close bond, having both been part of S.M. Entertainment. They starred together in To Be Continued alongside other members of ASTRO. Moonbin tragically died by suicide in April 2023 at the age of 25.
Kim’s relationship rumors
In March 2024, Kim sparked relationship rumours with Queen of Tears star Kim Soo-Hyun after sharing a photo of them together, which she later deleted. Soo-Hyun's agency denied the rumours, stating the photo was taken during a time when both were managed by the same agency.
Kim briefly addressed the rumours, telling My Daily, "I am preparing my statement. Once I finish, I will release it."
A star from a young age
Kim began her career as a child star, with roles in the 2009 film A Brand New Life and the 2010 film The Man From Nowhere. Her adult breakthrough came in the 2016 TV drama Secret Healer, and she continued her success with the 2018 thriller The Villagers. Her last project was the popular Netflix show Bloodhounds (2023).
Career Setback
At 24, Kim was a rising star but faced a significant setback following a drink driving incident in May 2022. She was fined £11,000, and the backlash affected her career, reducing her role in Bloodhounds. Kim issued a public apology, expressing regret and vowing to reflect on her actions.
According to Yonhap, Kim Sae-ron's career suffered a significant setback following an incident. Although she was cast in Netflix's Bloodhounds, most of her scenes were cut, and she also withdrew from an SBS drama. In April of the previous year, she attempted a comeback with a play but ultimately stepped down due to health issues amid ongoing controversy.
Kim Sae-Ron planned comeback
A close source revealed to Korea JoongAng Daily that Kim Sae-ron had been planning a major comeback, including a name change to Kim Ah-im, a new film project Guitar Man, and plans to open a café. The source expressed shock over her death, emphasizing that there were no signs of distress. Kim had recently completed filming for Guitar Man, which is now in post-production, and had been excited about returning to acting. The source also mentioned that Kim had been eager to restart her career and make a fresh start.
She was bright and professional
The director of Guitar Man, Shin Jae Ho, paid tribute to Kim Sae-ron following her death. In an interview, he recalled meeting her during the script reading for the film, describing her as bright, down-to-earth, and professional. Despite her time away from acting due to the DUI controversy, he praised her energy and acting skills, noting her senior presence on set and her remarkable talent. Guitar Man, her final film, will be released posthumously.
Tributes pour in
Following Kim’s passing, tributes poured in from fans and fellow actors. Actors like Won Bin, Han So-hee, and Lee Chan-hyuk visited her funeral at Asan Medical Center. Won Bin, who worked with Kim in The Man from Nowhere (2010), paid his respects and sent flowers.
Kim’s friends and colleagues, including Kim Ok-bin and Kim Soo-kyum, shared emotional tributes on social media.
Kim Ok-bin posted a white chrysanthemum with the message "May she rest in peace."
Actor Kim Soo-kyum wrote, "I’ll always tell you what I wanted to say. Be happy, wherever you are."
Fans and peers alike are devastated by Kim’s death, with many expressing their sorrow online.
One fan wrote, “My deepest condolences to Kim Sae-ron’s family, friends, and fans. May she rest in peace.” Another added, “I am still in denial, wishing it was all just a bad dream. Rest in Peace, Kim Sae-ron.”
Her death marks the tragic end of a promising career, leaving a deep loss for both the entertainment industry and her devoted fans.
