Amid the news that actress Kim Sae-ron has passed away at the age of 25, Na Jong-ho, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale University in the United States, appeared on the tvN entertainment program "You Quiz on the Block" and noted, "The state of our society resembles a giant Squid Game."
On the 17th, Professor Na posted on Facebook, saying, "A society that buries people without opportunities for rehabilitation after they’ve made a mistake is not a healthy society."
Professor Na said, "The way our society throws away those who have made mistakes or fallen behind, as if nothing happened, resembles a giant 'Squid Game.'" He added, "Drunk driving is a very serious offense, and if the penalties are weak, then there is a problem with the legal system."
He continued, "I believe a person's death is a result of a complex interplay of socioeconomic, psychological, and biological factors, so I don’t often refer to individuals; however, I strongly feel that actress Kim Sae-ron's death was a death pushed to the brink."
Professor Na remarked, "The last thing I saw about Kim was an article indicating she was working part-time due to financial difficulties, and I remember seeing that not only the article but also the cafe where she worked was bombarded with negative comments." He asked, "How many lives have to be lost before we stop imposing destructive shame that leaves no room to breathe?"
He added, "This is a time when social dialogue and reflection are needed."
Professor Na is a psychiatrist who gained attention for appearing on the popular tvN entertainment program "You Quiz" in January 2023. He graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in psychology and attended medical school, and he is currently a professor at Yale University in the United States.
According to the Seongdong Police Station in Seoul, Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong District around 4:54 p.m. the previous day. No signs of forced entry or criminal activity were noted.
Kim Sae-ron's funeral hall has been set up at the Seoul Asan Hospital funeral home 7. The funeral will be held at 6:20 a.m. on the 19th.