On February 16, actress Kim Sae-ron passed away at the age of 25, sparking ongoing discussions about excessive moral judgment and public scrutiny faced by celebrities.
Kim Sae-ron’s tragic death has sparked both domestic and international reactions, with some calling it a “recent tragedy shaking the Korean entertainment industry” due to the immense pressure celebrities face. CNN highlighted concerns about mental health and pressure in the entertainment industry, with critics arguing that excessive public judgment and personal attacks on celebrities are shortening their “real” lifespan.
Yet, this pattern of behavior continues. Amid news of Kim Sae-ron’s death, comedian Kim Shin-young found herself under fire after making a controversial comment about the virtual idol group PLAVE on a radio show. She said, “Honestly, our show can’t have them on. It’ll be such a reality check. If they can’t be seen, where are we supposed to look?”
Following this, Kim Shin-young’s social media was flooded with highly offensive comments such as, “Where did you lose your age?” and demands for her to leave the show. The next day, Kim Shin-young apologized on-air, stating, “I made an inappropriate remark for not understanding the changing times.”
However, as is often the case, the only people who remained were those still sending hate. While PLAVE and its fans received an apology, no one came to Kim Shin-young’s defense, even though she too was hurt by the malicious comments.
The public continued its harmful behavior, highlighting the ongoing cycle of criticism and attacks that contributed to the tragic deaths of figures like Sulli, Goo Hara, and Kim Sae-ron. As stated, “Until society can break this paradox, it’s impossible to guarantee that there won’t be a ‘second Sulli,’ ‘second Goo Hara,’ or ‘second Kim Sae-ron.'”
