Actor the late Kim Sae-ron has been gone for one year.
Feb. 16, 2026, marks one year since Kim Sae-ron died at the age of 25. The late actor was found dead at her home in Seongdong District, Seoul, on Feb. 16, 2025.
After debuting as a magazine model in 2001 and beginning her acting career with the 2009 film "Traveler," Kim Sae-ron drew attention for her role as Jung So-mi opposite Won Bin in the 2010 film The Man from Nowhere. Alongside Kim You Jung and Kim So Hyun, Kim Sae-ron was recognized as a child actor expected to carry the entertainment industry forward, appearing in the drama "Can You Hear My Heart," "Fashion King," "Romance Is a Bonus Book 2012," "What Is Mom," "The Queen's Classroom," "High School Love On," "Snowy Road," "Mirror of the Witch," "Leverage: The Con Artists," "Love Playlist season 4," "Nobody Knows," "The Cursed Teacher Ga Doo-shim," "KBS Drama Special—The Women," "Bloodhounds," and in the films "The Neighbor," "Manhole," "Dohee-ya," "Manshin," and "The Neighbors."
With these achievements, Kim Sae-ron walked a path of acclaim, winning the Best New Actress award at the 19th Buil Film Awards, Best New Actress at the 8th Korea Movie Awards, the child actor award at the 2013 MBC Drama Awards, Best New Actress at the 35th Blue Dragon Film Awards, and the drama special TV cinema award at the 2021 KBS Drama Awards.
However, on May 18, 2022, she halted activities after causing an accident in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, where she struck guardrails, street trees and a transformer several times while driving under the influence. Rather than a breath test, a blood test was administered, which measured 0.2%, far exceeding the license-cancellation level of 0.08%. Kim Sae-ron said, "Through my wrong judgment and actions I caused harm to many people, including store owners, citizens and those who helped with restoration. I should have acted more cautiously and responsibly, but I did not. I sincerely apologize," and she entered a period of self-reflection.
During her period of self-reflection, Kim Sae-ron, who faced criticism for insincere behavior, sought to return to work by doing part-time acting lessons for new actors and aspiring performers, and attempted a comeback through the play "Dongchim-i," but faced cold public opinion and had to extend her period of self-reflection.
Although Kim Sae-ron hoped to return amid negative public sentiment, her death provoked sorrow. After her death, her bereaved family raised allegations of grooming of a minor by Kim Soo-hyun. They claimed the late actor had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun for six years beginning when she was 15, and the family presented messages from 2016 and 2018 as evidence, asserting that Kim Soo-hyun framed her as a "pedophile" and for "grooming a minor."
In response, Kim Soo-hyun held a news conference and disputed the claims, saying, "Dating while a minor is not true," and denying that the KakaoTalk messages from 2016 and 2018 were exchanged by him. Kim Soo-hyun's side filed defamation and damages suits against the bereaved family and YouTubers, intensifying the legal battle, and the family of the late Kim Sae-ron counter-sued Kim Soo-hyun for violating the Child Welfare Act and for false accusation, continuing the dispute over the truth. Attorney Go Sang-rok has repeatedly asserted Kim Soo-hyun's innocence and stepped up the offensive.
A year has passed since Kim Sae-ron's death, but her name continues to be mentioned as legal battles persist. The sorrow has only deepened as the situation continues, preventing restful peace even after her passing.
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