Actress Kim Sae Ron stepped in front of the camera at an age far too young—and walked the red carpet at Cannes even earlier than most could imagine. Her gaze was steady beyond her years, her emotional depth stronger than the label “child actress” could contain. Moving seamlessly between film and television dramas, she documented her growth through each role. Yet her farewell came too soon.
On February 16, 2025, Kim Sae Ron passed away at the age of 24, leaving behind a profound mark on Korean popular culture. On the first anniversary of her death, colleagues and fans continue to remember her as one of the most gifted actresses of her generation.
From 1,000-to-1 Odds to Cannes: A Brand New Life and The Man from Nowhere
Kim Sae Ron’s debut was nothing short of extraordinary. In 2009, she beat 1,000-to-1 odds to land the lead role of Jin-hee in A Brand New Life, a Korean-French co-production produced by director Lee Chang-dong. Portraying a young girl abandoned by her father and awaiting adoption, the nine-year-old actress delivered one of the most powerful debuts in Korean film history. Her raw performance earned her an invitation to the Cannes Film Festival, making her the youngest Korean actress ever invited at the time.
In 2010, she rose to mainstream stardom through The Man from Nowhere, which drew 6.28 million moviegoers. Playing So-mi, the little girl who becomes the only friend of a reclusive former special agent portrayed by Won Bin, Kim showcased remarkable emotional intensity within the noir genre. She later returned to Cannes with A Girl at My Door, achieving the rare milestone of walking the Cannes red carpet twice before turning 15. Major awards—including Best New Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards—hailed her as “the future of Korean cinema.”
Breaking the Child Actress Mold
Unlike many former child stars, Kim Sae Ron overcame the transition into adulthood through sheer acting ability. In The Neighbor, she took on dual roles and helped lead the film’s box office success. On television, she starred in The Queen’s Classroom, Hi! School: Love On, and Snowy Road.
Particularly in Snowy Road, a drama centered on the issue of wartime comfort women, her weighty performance proved she was far more than a “pretty child actress.” She was capable of delivering socially resonant narratives with maturity and gravitas.
Her official transition into adult roles came with Secret Healer, where she played Seo-ri across both her teenage and adult years. She later connected with younger audiences through Love Playlist Season 4, portraying the bright and cheerful college student Seo Ji-min—a character said to closely resemble her real-life personality.
In 2021, she continued her steady career trajectory with The Great Shaman Ga Doo-shim and Netflix’s Bloodhounds, successfully solidifying her place as an adult actress.
DUI Controversy, Hiatus, and Heartbreaking News
In 2022, Kim Sae Ron faced a major setback after a drunk driving incident led her to suspend activities and enter a period of self-reflection. While preparing for a comeback, she endured continued public scrutiny and controversy.
In early 2025, news of her sudden passing shocked the entertainment industry. Her family’s legal representative later claimed that indiscriminate reporting by certain YouTubers and media outlets had pushed her into a corner, sparking further debate.
Speculation surrounding alleged past connections and financial pressure intensified public discourse, leaving many to reflect on the harsh social gaze directed at her. Reports suggested she struggled with profound isolation during her final months, deepening the collective sorrow surrounding her loss.
Her final film, Guitar Man, and her last drama, Everyday We Are, remain poignant reminders of her determination to hold onto acting until the very end.
The Man Next Door Who Stayed Until the End: Won Bin’s Tearful Farewell
At her funeral, a special bond quietly resurfaced. During the filming of The Man from Nowhere, young Kim Sae Ron reportedly did not even know that Won Bin was a top star. To her, he was simply the kind “uncle next door” who held her hand on set and protected her like a guardian.
Her innocence once inspired Won Bin to quit smoking, as he famously remarked, “I can’t smoke while working with a child.”
Though reports later suggested they had lost touch over the years, Won Bin attended her wake at Asan Medical Center in Seoul alongside his wife, actress Lee Na-young. He stood silently by her final path, bidding farewell in tears.
Kim Sae Ron was laid to rest at Utopia Memorial Park in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. At her memorial, photos of her beloved cats and images from her radiant A Brand New Life days accompanied her.
As colleagues and fans mark her first death anniversary, many share the same wish: that she has finally laid down her heavy burdens and found peace. Though her journey ended far too soon, the pure spirit she revealed on screen continues to live on—eternally remembered in the hearts of audiences worldwide.
Sources: Nate