The Late Kim Sae-ron’s Final Message in “Guitar Man”: “I’m Scared… I Want to Let It All Go”
The final performance of late actress Kim Sae-ron in the independent film Guitar Man has stirred emotional reflection across Korea, revealing what many believe to be her most personal and heartfelt message to the world.
Released months after her tragic passing in February 2025, Guitar Man has garnered attention not for its cinematic polish, but for the raw and poignant presence of Kim, who portrays a young woman named Yoo-jin, navigating life while clinging to her dream of indie music.
Many lines spoken by her character, such as “Life isn’t easy,” “I want to let it all go,” and “I’m scared… now I have to go alone,” have taken on deeper meaning in light of Kim’s personal struggles and untimely death.
Kim Sae-ron had largely withdrawn from the entertainment industry following a DUI incident and multiple unsuccessful comeback attempts. According to director Lee Sun-jung, a musician-turned-filmmaker who helmed Guitar Man as his first directorial project, the film was hurriedly completed to honor a promise made to Kim: to release it by May 2025.
Despite its unrefined execution and technical flaws, Guitar Man resonates as a character-driven, emotionally charged piece. While its uneven pacing and overt emotional cues may limit its critical reception, the film’s most enduring impact lies in Kim’s performance, which now serves as a window into her final creative expression.
Playing Yoo-jin, a character who balances a day job with her passion for music, Kim mirrors her own trajectory. Much like her character, she had once stepped away from the limelight, worked part-time jobs, and reportedly faced financial difficulties.
Viewers familiar with her circumstances may find the film especially moving, seeing it as a metaphor for Kim’s desire to reconnect with her audience and reclaim her identity.
Kim’s passing remains a sensitive and unresolved subject, shrouded in speculation and conflicting narratives. Amidst the noise, Guitar Man stands as a solemn reminder of her voice, one that was silenced too soon, yet echoes in the final scenes of her last film.