Korean celebrities and Kim Sae-ron’s former agency paid tribute to the actress who was found dead at home in Seoul on Feb. 16.
The Seongdong Police Station said Kim Sae-ron, 24, was found dead at her home in Seongdong, Seoul.
“An acquaintance who had arranged to meet Kim that day found her and reported her to the police at around 4:54 p.m. There were no signs of criminal suspicion such as external intrusion, and we are continuing to investigate the circumstances of death," the police said.
Gold Medalist, her former agency, said, "We are deeply saddened by the sad news of Kim Sae-ron's passing. We pray that the deceased may rest in peace."
Actress Kim Sae-ron (Instagram)
Photos of chrysanthemum flowers uploaded by actor Seo Ha-joon and actresses Seo Yea-ji and Kim Ok-bin (Instagram)
Actress Kim Min-che (left) posted this photo from the 2018 film "The Villagers" showing Kim Sae-ron, who played the role of her daughter, and actor Ma Dong-seok (Instagram)
After Kim Sae-ron (김새론) was involved in a drunk driving incident in May 2022, her contract with Gold Medalist ended. Last year, reports indicated that she worked part-time in a cafe.
Since the incident, Kim Sae-ron was on hiatus but filmed the movie "Guitar Man" last year. The movie's release has not been scheduled.
Actress Seo Yea-ji uploaded a photo of a chrysanthemum flower on Instagram Stories. Kim Sae-ron and Seo Yea-ji were previously under Gold Medalist agency
Other Korean celebrities who paid tribute to Kim Sae-ron include actresses Kim Ok-bin and Kim Min-che, and actor Seo Ha-joon.
"I was so happy to meet her as my daughter in the film," Kim Min-che posted on Instagram along with a photo of a scene in the movie "The Villagers."
Kim Sae-ron’s last project was the film “Guitar Man.” She finished filming for the movie in November.
A person close to Kim Sae-ron said the actress was planning to make a comeback with the film “Guitar Man.”
"The last time I saw Kim Sae-ron was at the end of last year. She was planning to return with the movie 'Guitar Man' and then act and make money, but I didn't know it would turn out like this," the person said, Korean media outlet Osen reported.
The report added that Kim Sae-ron recently changed her name to Kim Ah-im.
"She was preparing to open a cafe and was about to return to the entertainment industry. Even I can't believe it. She avoided her original cafe schedule to film a project, but it wasn't easy, so she ended up quitting the cafe. She prepared to open a cafe with her acquaintances and also made plans to move," the person added.
The person said, "There was no sign of it, and I told her to call me if she was having a hard time.”