South Korean actress Kim Sae-Ron found dead at 24

South Korean actress Kim Sae-Ron was discovered dead at her Seoul residence. The 24-year-old was known for her roles in K-Dramas such as Listen to My Heart, The Queen's Classroom, and Hi! School-Love On. A friend, who was supposed to meet her, found her unresponsive on February 16, 2025. Emergency services were alerted and arrived at the scene. The cause of death remains undisclosed.

Reports state that police found no signs of forced entry but are continuing their investigation to determine the cause of death. According to Korea JoongAng Daily, Kim Sae-Ron had been planning a major comeback under a new name and with a new film.

A close acquaintance of Kim Sae-Ron told South Korean media outlet Osen on Sunday that her sudden passing was unimaginable. They shared, “She said she’d make money acting again after making a comeback with the film Guitar Man. She was preparing to open a cafe, while also getting ready to return to the entertainment industry. I still can’t believe it.”

The acquaintance also revealed that Kim Sae-Ron had recently changed her name to Kim Ah-im and was planning to move. “There were no signs at all, and I told her to call me if things got tough,” they said. She had completed filming Guitar Man, which is currently in post-production.

Kim Sae-Ron made her acting debut at 9 and gained fame for her roles in notable films such as A Brand New Life (2009) and The Man From Nowhere (2010). As a teenager, she starred in A Girl at My Door (2014) and the TV series Secret Healer (2016).

Reports indicate that Kim Sae-Ron kept a low profile following her DUI (driving under the influence of a substance) arrest in May 2022. In April 2023, she was fined 20 million won for damaging several lampposts and guardrails in Gangnam, Seoul. The ensuing negative publicity made it challenging for her to secure roles. She attempted a comeback with the play Dongchimi last year but withdrew due to health problems.