During a live broadcast on the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute on March 12, the late actress Kim Sae-ron‘s aunt once again made an appearance via a phone call with the host. This time, she was unable to contain her emotions and spoke with noticeable frustration, especially when mentioning Kim Soo Hyun. She went as far as directly accusing him of being the one who ruined her niece’s career.
Kim Sae-ron’s aunt also stated that her niece had many opportunities for growth but turned them down because of her boyfriend. She added, “Many companies wanted to recruit her, but I feel regretful because her career was held back by her boyfriend.”
After hearing this information, netizens reviewing Kim Sae-ron’s career trajectory have pointed out a stark contrast in the projects she took on before and after signing with Gold Medalist.
A viral online post analyzed Kim Sae-ron’s career, highlighting a stark decline after she joined Gold Medalist. While she steadily built her reputation with independent films under YG Entertainment, her career slowed significantly after 2018. The shift was also evident in her drama roles – she moved from major network productions to primarily KakaoTV web dramas. The post noted that after “Snowy Road” (2015), she had very few significant child roles, with “Nobody Knows” (2020) being a rare exception. It speculated that her early transition to mature roles, possibly influenced by her relationship with Kim Soo-hyun, made it harder for her to secure projects.
Netizens reflected on Kim Sae-ron’s stalled career, questioning why such a talented actress, who even attended Cannes twice, had struggled to secure major roles.
Many believed Gold Medalist mismanaged her, noting that while other young actors, like Choi Hyun-wook, received strong opportunities, Kim Sae-ron was limited to web dramas. Some speculated that her relationship with Kim Soo-hyun played a role in derailing her career, expressing frustration that she lost the chance to grow into a top actress. Others lamented how she transitioned away from child roles too soon, calling it a tragic waste of talent.
As discussions continue, many remain divided on whether Kim Sae-ron’s stalled career was due to personal choices, agency mismanagement, or external influences, leaving lingering questions about what could have been.
Sources: Kbizoom