Popular actress Kim Sae-ron found dead at home

South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron has been found dead at the age of 24, according to police reports.

Her body was discovered at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on Sunday afternoon by a friend who immediately alerted the authorities. Police received the call at approximately 4:50 p.m. local time.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of death, but there are currently no signs of foul play, as no evidence of a break-in was found.

Kim, born in 2000, rose to fame as a child actress, making her debut in 2009. She gained widespread recognition for her performance in the 2010 action thriller The Man from Nowhere and later starred in The Neighbor (2012).

Her career was put on hold following a drunk driving incident in May 2022, for which she was fined 20 million won (£11,000) in April 2023. The controversy led to her role being significantly reduced in the 2023 Netflix drama Bloodhounds, which became her last on-screen appearance.

Following news of her passing, tributes flooded social media. One fan wrote, “This is truly heartbreaking news. My deepest condolences to Kim Sae-ron’s family, friends, and fans. May she rest in peace.” Another expressed disbelief, saying, “I am still in denial, wishing it was all just a bad dream. Rest in peace, Kim Sae-ron.”

In her 2022 apology following the drunk driving incident, Kim expressed deep remorse, writing, “There is no excuse for this unfortunate incident, and I am disappointed and ashamed of my mistake. I will reflect and ensure this never happens again. I’m sorry.”

Kim Sae-ron was widely regarded as one of South Korea’s most promising young actresses before her career was overshadowed by controversy. She was 24.