Kim Sae-ron, a talented South Korean actress who began her career as a child star, tragically passed away at the age of 24 in February 2025. Her death was ruled a suicide.
Her career faced a significant setback in May 2022 due to a drunk driving incident. She crashed her car into a guardrail, trees, and an electrical transformer in Seoul, causing a power outage for 57 businesses in the area for nearly three hours.
At the time of the accident, her blood alcohol level was over 0.2 percent, far exceeding the legal limit for license revocation. This incident led to a substantial fine of 20 million won, and she lost numerous film and endorsement contracts.
The incident severely damaged her public image, and she faced intense public backlash and criticism, which many believe contributed to her struggles. This also brought discussions about South Korea’s harsh “cancel culture” to the forefront.
Despite publicly apologizing and trying to make amends, the damage to her career was substantial. She attempted to return to acting, including a role in the Netflix series Bloodhounds , but much of her screen time was edited out. She also withdrew from other projects due to public backlash.
While the DUI incident was a major turning point, there have also been unconfirmed allegations and rumors surrounding the event, including claims about other individuals potentially being involved or that her agency pressured her. However, these claims remain unverified and should be approached with caution.
Kim Sae-ron’s passing is a tragic reminder of the immense pressures faced by public figures and the severe consequences of mistakes in the public eye, particularly within the unforgiving “cancel culture.”