Acquaintance Reveals Kim Sae-ron Had Changed Her Name and Was Planning a Fresh Start Before Her Passing
On February 16, according to the police, Kim Sae-ron was found deceased at her residence. Authorities received a report around 5 PM (KST) and responded to the scene, where she was confirmed dead. Investigations into the exact circumstances of her passing are ongoing.
Following the news, an acquaintance of Kim Sae-ron shared, “I met her late last year. She had been living alone in Seongdong-gu. Her family resides in Gyeonggi Province, and her younger sibling frequently traveled between their home and Kim Sae-ron’s residence.” They further revealed, “Sae-ron had recently changed her name to Kim Ah-im and was trying to start anew. She had been receiving continuous mental and psychological treatment.”
The acquaintance added, “She was preparing to open a café with some acquaintances and make a comeback in the entertainment industry. I still can’t believe this heartbreaking news.”
Kim Sae-ron debuted in the entertainment industry in 2001 as a magazine model and later gained recognition through her role in the 2009 film “A Brand New Life.” She rose to prominence with her performance in the 2010 film “The Man from Nowhere,” showcasing her exceptional acting skills as a child actress. Throughout her career, she appeared in numerous films, including “I Am A Dad,” “The Neighbors,” “Barbie,” “A Girl at My Door,” “Manhole,” “Snowy Road,” and “The Villagers,” as well as dramas such as “Can You Hear My Heart?,” “What Is Mom?,” “The Queen’s Classroom,” “Hi! School-Love on,” “Glamorous Temptation,” “Secret Healer,” “Leverage,” and “The Great Shaman Ga Doo-shim.”
However, in May 2022, Kim Sae-ron was involved in a drunk driving incident near Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, which led to significant controversy. The accident damaged a transformer, causing power outages in nearby businesses. At the scene, she refused a breathalyzer test and instead requested a blood test, which later revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.2%, well above the license revocation threshold.
Following the incident, Kim Sae-ron withdrew from public activities and entered a period of self-reflection. During her period of self-reflection, she was repeatedly spotted in situations such as playing cards at a bar, making false claims about part-time work, and being involved in rumors regarding her relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun.
