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The tragic passing of actress Kim Sae-ron has led Dr. Na Jong-ho, a psychiatrist and associate professor at Yale University’s School of Medicine, to suggest that this tragedy stems from the harsh and unforgiving attitudes deeply ingrained in Korean society. He stated, “Our society is quick to condemn and ‘eliminate’ those who make mistakes, casting them out and then moving on as if nothing ever happened. It’s just like the game in ‘Squid Game.’”
Kim Sae-ron was burdened with a significant amount of debt but was unable to repay it, as she could only find part-time work. Even the place where she worked became the target of online scrutiny and criticism. She had made mistakes, but she was never given the chance to start over. Had the public been more forgiving, could she have overcome this tragic fate?
Artists who Recovered after Scandals
Actor Joo Ji-hoon is a prime example of someone who made a remarkable comeback after a scandal. In 2009, the “Princess Hours” star was arrested and sentenced to prison for drug use. After serving his sentence, he attempted to resume his acting career but was met with rejection. It wasn’t until 2015, with his role alongside Soo-ae in the TV series “Mask,” that he was able to reconnect with audiences. From 2019 onwards, Joo Ji-hoon once again found success, propelled by the hit Netflix series “Kingdom,” and today, he is one of the hottest names in the industry thanks to “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call”.
Meanwhile, in 2014, Song Hye-kyo faced a major tax evasion scandal. Authorities investigated and found that the actress had failed to pay taxes amounting to 2.5 billion won (approximately 1.7 million USD). She promptly paid the fine and held a press conference to apologize and clarify the situation. However, the public turned its back on her, bombarding her with harsh criticism. The controversy forced her to step away from the spotlight in 2015.
In 2016, thanks to the phenomenal success of the TV series “Descendants of the Sun,” Song Hye-kyo’s career was reignited. However, she once again lost her good image following her highly publicized divorce from Song Joong-ki. Nevertheless, she persevered and worked on improving her acting, ultimately reaping the rewards with successful projects like “The Glory” and “Dark Nuns,” solidifying her status as a top-tier actress.
Celeabrities’s Returns are Never Easy
Of course, rebuilding a career after a scandal has never been easy. Media outlet JoongAng Ilbo compiled and analyzed 44 cases of celebrities who committed crimes and attempted to return to the South Korean entertainment industry over 11 years from 2006 to 2016. The results of this analysis show that the Korean public is most strict with stars involved in military service-related offenses and most forgiving toward those who drink and drive, as long as they sincerely apologize.
Specifically, celebrities needed an average of 37.3 months to return after being caught in a military service scandal. Following that were stars involved in sex scandals (29.8 months), gambling (16.1 months), illegal drug use (12.7 months), and drinking and driving (4.7 months).
Usually, celebrities temporarily halt their artistic activities to let the situation cool down, waiting for the right moment to stage a grand comeback. However, this path is much more difficult compared to building fame from the beginning. Once a personal brand has been damaged by scandal, it is very challenging for an artist even a top A-list star to secure a lucrative contract on their first comeback attempt, as was the case with Song Hye-kyo in “Descendants of the Sun.” They also face backlash from audiences and broadcasting bans from networks when involved in serious scandals.
The common scenario is that they must turn to independent, low-budget art projects, act in foreign films, or shift their activities to social media platforms. This can be considered a “bitter struggle” phase full of challenges. Next, their performances will determine everything. If their talent is convincing enough, they may gradually regain a place in the entertainment industry. This process is not easy at all, requiring artists to be truly patient and genuinely show that they have repented.
Should the Toxic “Cancel Culture” be Eliminated?
Returning to the case of Kim Sae-ron, she managed to complete filming for her final work, the movie “Guitar Man.” “Guitar Man” marks Kim Sae-ron’s return after more than two years of absence due to the drunk driving incident in May 2022. Looking back at the rare images from the set of “Guitar Man,” audiences cannot help but feel sorrowful, as just a few months ago, Kim Sae-ron still appeared in very good condition. Her bright and beautiful appearance was just like before the scandal.
However, Kim Sae-ron did not live to see the film’s release and the audience’s reaction. Before her passing, the actress struggled with severe psychological issues due to being ostracized and the spread of misleading videos on social media. Her suicide just before her comeback was truly unfortunate. It is very likely that if she had received even a little sympathy and support, Kim Sae-ron could have risen again after her downfall.
From previous cases, it is clear that with compassion, artists have the opportunity to rebuild their careers and lead meaningful lives. It is time for the toxic “cancel culture” and baseless boycotts to be eliminated because in life, no one is perfect. Everyone can make mistakes and deserves a second chance.