Kim Sae Ron has passed away at the young age of 25, leaving behind a legacy cut tragically short. The news comes as particularly heartbreaking as she had recently changed her name to Kim Ah Im and was preparing for a fresh start in her career.
The Seoul Seongdong Police Department confirmed that the actress was discovered after a friend alerted authorities when Kim failed to show up to their get-together. Police officials stated that while no signs of foul play were detected, an investigation into the circumstances of her death is ongoing.
Sources close to the actress revealed that Kim had recently legally changed her name to Kim Ah Im and was preparing for a new start. “She was planning to open a cafe with some acquaintances and was getting ready to return to the entertainment industry. This news is absolutely devastating,” the source disclosed.
Kim Sae Ron’s final project, an independent film titled Guitar Man, completed filming in November and is currently in post-production. Lee Sun Jung, CEO of Sungwon Pharmaceutical, who directed and co-starred in the film, shared intimate details about the actress’s last months on set. “She was bright and energetic during filming, always smiling and playful,” Lee told EDaily. “But when she was alone, you could see her demeanor change—she seemed darker, troubled. That worried me.”
The actress began her career as a magazine model in 2001 before making her acting debut in 2009 with A Brand New Life, which earned her the distinction of being the youngest Korean actor to have a film screened at the Cannes Film Festival. She later gained international recognition through her breakout role in the 2010 action thriller The Man from Nowhere.
Kim’s career hit a setback in May 2022 following a DUI incident in Seoul’s Cheongdam district, where she refused a breathalyzer test but later recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.2% through a blood test. The incident led to a self-imposed hiatus from the entertainment industry.
Meanwhile, Guitar Man, which will serve as Kim’s final screen appearance, is scheduled for theatrical release in May.
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