The entertainment world lost one of its brightest young stars when Kim Sae Ron died in her Seoul home on February 16th.
The actress, who debuted at just nine years old, had a prolific 16-year career in both film and television. She was one of Korea’s most well-known child actors and captivated audiences with her talent from a young age.
She first stepped into the entertainment industry in 2001 as a child model for the magazine Enfant and officially began her acting career in 2009 with the film A Brand New Life. In this Korean-French co-production, she beat 1,000-to-1 odds in auditions and played the role of Jin Hee, a girl abandoned at an orphanage. The film was invited to the Cannes Film Festival, making Kim the youngest Korean actress ever to walk the Cannes red carpet.
Her breakout role came in 2010 with The Man from Nowhere, where she played So Mi, a young girl navigating a turbulent home life. Starring alongside Won Bin, Kim earned widespread acclaim for her emotional depth and maturity beyond her years. The film was a massive hit, drawing over six million moviegoers despite its R-rating.
She continued to impress in dramas like Listen to My Heart (2011), What Is Mom? (2012), and The Queen’s Classroom (2013). In 2014, she returned to the big screen with July Jung’s A Girl at My Door, once again delivering a powerful performance. The film was also invited to Cannes, making her one of the few actresses to walk the festival’s red carpet twice before turning 14.
Kim received numerous acting awards throughout her career and solidified her place as a talented actress. She won Best New Actress at the Buil Film Awards for A Brand New Life, the Korean Film Awards for The Man from Nowhere, and the Blue Dragon Film Awards for A Girl at My Door—becoming the youngest-ever recipient of a Blue Dragon acting award. She also took on historical roles, including the 2015 film Snowy Road, which earned her the Best Actress award at China’s Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival.
However, her career took a downturn in 2022 following a DUI incident. The accident resulted in her scenes being largely removed from Netflix’s Bloodhounds, her departure from SBS’s Trolley, and a broadcast ban from KBS.
Last year, reports surfaced that Kim was struggling financially, and she was spotted working at a café. She also made headlines after posting a photo with actor Kim Soo Hyun, sparking dating rumors.
Kim attempted a comeback through the play Dongchimi but exited the cast due to health issues. Despite the challenges she faced in her later years, she left behind a legacy of memorable works and characters that will be remembered by many.
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In remembrance of Kim Sae Ron, you can revisit her work in The Man From Nowhere, available for free on Ondemand Korea and Amasian.tv.
