International news outlets have extensively covered the sudden passing of 25-year-old South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron. (Image courtesy of Gold Medalist)
SEOUL, Feb. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — International news outlets have extensively covered the sudden passing of 25-year-old South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, reflecting on her rise to fame and the pressures of the country’s entertainment industry.
Major media organizations including Reuters, AFP, CNN, CBS, The New York Times, The New York Post, USA Today, Fox News, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Deadline, and People reported on her death on February 16–17 (local time), citing South Korean news agency Yonhap.
Kim, who gained international recognition through her roles in Lee Chang-dong’s A Brand New Life and Jung Ju-ri’s A Girl at My Door, was invited to the Cannes Film Festival twice. Her breakout performances in the film The Man from Nowhere and the Netflix drama Bloodhounds further expanded her global profile.
Foreign media outlets noted that while Kim was once regarded as one of South Korea’s most promising actresses, her career came to a halt following a 2022 drunk-driving incident that led to a severe public backlash.
Reuters described Kim as “one of South Korea’s most promising young actresses” whose career was derailed by the 2022 DUI incident. AFP echoed similar sentiments, noting that she had demonstrated versatility in various roles and received multiple film awards before the controversy led to a KRW 20 million ($13,800) fine and a sudden career pause.
The New York Times highlighted how Kim, once among Korea’s most acclaimed young actresses, was unable to secure new roles following the incident due to intense public scrutiny. The newspaper linked her death to the immense pressures of South Korea’s entertainment industry, stating that while the industry is thriving, it has been criticized for its impact on the mental health of rising stars.
Experts interviewed by The Times pointed out that a celebrity’s career in South Korea often hinges on maintaining an immaculate reputation. CNN also noted that recent deaths of young K-pop and K-drama stars—including Song Jae-rim in 2024, ASTRO’s Moonbin, f(x)’s Sulli, and SHINee’s Jonghyun—have reignited concerns over mental health issues within the entertainment industry.
CNN further reported that South Korea’s highly competitive entertainment landscape, along with an intense focus on public image and behavior, places immense pressure on celebrities. Experts cited in the report emphasized that these unrealistic expectations contribute to the mental health struggles faced by many stars in the industry.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
