South Korean star Kim Sae-ron dies at 24, fans decry ‘double standards’ over career-damaging DUI scandal

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The South Korean entertainment industry is in mourning after the shocking news of actress Kim Sae-ron’s sudden death at just 24 years old.

The beloved actress — who rose to fame with her breakout role in 'The Man from Nowhere' (2010) and later cemented her status with 'The Neighbor' (2012) — was found dead in her home on Tuesday, February 16. She also gained popularity among fans for her role in Neftlix's 'Bloodhounds'.

However, in the wake of her death, fans of the actress have highlighted the double standard she was subjected to after her 2022 DUI arrest which ruined her promising career.

Kim Sae-ron found dead in her home

The Seoul police confirmed that Kim was discovered unresponsive at her residence in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, by a friend who immediately contacted authorities at approximately 4:50 pm.

Initial investigations revealed no signs of foul play, though the official cause of death remains under investigation.

A brief timeline of Kim Sae-ron’s tumultuous journey

Kim Sae-ron was once hailed as one of the most promising child actresses in South Korea. At just nine years old, she delivered a powerhouse performance in 'The Man from Nowhere', starring alongside Won Bin as a kidnapped girl caught in a web of crime.

From there, she continued to build her career with roles in critically acclaimed films like 'A Brand New Life' (2009), 'A Girl at My Door' (2014), and 'The Villagers' (2018). Her television resume was equally impressive, featuring roles in 'Listen to My Heart', 'The Queen’s Classroom', and 'Love Playlist'.

But for all her talent and accolades — including Best New Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards — her once-bright future took a dark turn following a DUI incident in May 2022.

Kim Sae-ron crashed her car into a guardrail, a tree, and a power transformer in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul, while intoxicated. The damage is said to have caused power outages in the area. Reports stated that she refused a field sobriety test and instead insisted on a blood test at a police station. She posted a public apology shortly after, but the damage was already done.

The following month, blood test results confirmed her BAC was 0.2% — leading to the revocation of her driver’s license since it was well above the legal limit. In December of that year, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office indicted her without detention.

In March 2023, during her first trial, Kim pleaded for leniency citing financial struggles and revealing that she had been forced to take part-time jobs to make ends meet. Regardless, she was fined 20 million won ($15,000) the following month for drunk driving, according to The Korea Herald.

Despite issuing multiple apologies, the industry was unforgiving. She was dropped from the drama 'Trolley' and her role in 'Bloodhounds' was drastically reduced, causing script rewrites and production delays.

In November 2022, Kim shocked fans when she posted a photo of herself working at a local coffee shop. Her agency confirmed that financial difficulties led her to take on the job.

Her brief attempt at a comeback in October last year with a low-budget film titled 'Guitar Man' was met with indifference, and she remained largely out of the public eye.

Grief and outrage over double standards after Kim Sae-ron's death

Kim Sae-ron’s death sparked anger among fans, with many slamming the harsh treatment she endured compared to male celebrities who committed far worse crimes yet managed to return to the industry unscathed.

"Kim Sae-ron faced hell for her scandal but men do worse but still get movie deals, comeback stages, and public sympathy. the double standards in this industry are disgusting," one posted on X.

"A male celebrity’s scandal is just a hiatus, but for a female celebrity, it’s a career death sentence (even death itself). rest in peace, Kim Sae-ron. I will only remember all the good things," another lamented.

"Insane how male celebrities in South Korea, return to the industry, after committing the worst crimes but a woman is condemned for drunk driving for years when she has already paid for her actions and reflected on it. rest in peace Kim Saeron," someone else chimed in.

"Rest in peace, Kim Sae-ron. we all witnessed how K-media & K-netizens bullied this woman. she is not innocent but there are men out there who did the worst but still walking & acting in the industry," a comment read.

"It is proven that scandals only destroy women. Many Korean men have their careers intact even after doing much worse things. They go to the army or take a hiatus and when they come back it's as if nothing had happened," another fumed.

Kim Sae-ron's promising life and career cut short

Kim Sae-ron was born on July 31, 2000, in Seoul, and was an acting prodigy from the very beginning.

With award-winning performances in 'The Man from Nowhere' and 'A Girl at My Door', she had the potential to become one of South Korea’s most respected actresses.

She won Best New Actress twice — once at the Korean Film Awards and again at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, two of the country's most prestigious honors, according to Deadline.

But one mistake was all it took - leading to a brutal downfall that she never fully recovered from.

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