Kim Bo-ra & Lee Soo-hyun’s Enduring Friendship Draws Attention After Kim Sae-ron’s Passing
On May 12, Kim Bo-ra showcased their deep bond by regramming a photo Lee Soo-hyun posted on Instagram. The image of Lee Soo-hyun adorably blowing dandelion seeds was accompanied by Kim Bo-ra’s short message, “Always,” and an emoji of two hands clasped together, drawing attention.
In 2021, during an appearance on JTBC’s variety show “Long Live Independence,” Lee Soo-hyun shared, “We’ve been close for about four or five years. Kim Sae-ron, Kim Bo-ra, and I meet often without planning.” She boasted, “We’re so close that we share house passcodes in our group chat.”
“When they come to my place, Bo-ra unnie cleans and sorts the recycling, Kim Sae-ron cooks… and I just laze around like a grasshopper,” Lee Soo-hyun said with a laugh. Kim Bo-ra, Lee Soo-hyun, and Kim Sae-ron were known in the entertainment industry as inseparable friends of the same age, maintaining a tight-knit bond.
However, only two of the trio remain. Kim Sae-ron was found deceased at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, in February. Kim Bo-ra sent a condolence wreath with the message “Let’s meet again,” and Lee Soo-hyun was seen weeping at the funeral, leaving many heartbroken.
On July 2, Soo-hyun posted a message that read, “Jjomae-ya, I hope you’re running around with a healthy body now. Make lots of friends and have so much fun that you don’t notice time passing — until we meet again. I’ll miss you so much. I love you, my baby.”
She shared the message alongside a photo of her pet dog, affectionately nicknamed Jjomae. The heartfelt caption strongly suggests that Suhyun has recently said goodbye to her furry companion.
This update comes not long after Suhyun faced another emotional blow — the sudden passing of her close friend, actress Kim Sae-ron. Suhyun was notably scheduled to appear as a guest at SHINee Onew’s solo concert, but canceled the appearance following the funeral of Kim Sae-ron.
Later, singer Harim, a fellow musician Soo-hyun became close with through JTBC’s “Begin Again”, also expressed concern for her well-being.
“Soo-hyun appeared in my dream,” he wrote. “We had a long conversation somewhere with a great city view. I think I dreamt of her because I had been deeply worried about her after everything she’s gone through recently. I want to check on her, but I don’t know how to ask.”
In response, Lee Soo-hyun left a heartfelt comment, “The most precious memories and people in my life,” she wrote. “Even without words, I can feel it all — but thank you for saying it. The feeling of missing ‘Ha-booji’ (Harim) is already giving me the strength I need.”
Kim Bo-ra is an actress known for roles in dramas like SKY Castle (2018) and films such as The Ghost (2023). She gained recognition as a child actress before transitioning to more prominent roles. Lee Soo-hyun is a singer and actress, formerly a member of the K-pop group AKMU (Akdong Musician) alongside her brother Lee Chan-hyuk. The trio’s friendship, formed through their shared experiences in the entertainment industry, was widely admired for its authenticity.
Meanwhile, Kim Bo-ra married director Jo Ba-reun in June 2024, but the couple recently divorced after less than a year. Lee Soo-hyun has been promoting AKMU’s latest music releases, including a single dropped in April 2025, and engaging in solo projects like variety show appearances.