by In the months leading up to her tragic death in February 2025, Kim Sae Ron found herself in a dire financial situation. Following her DUI incident in May 2022, she reportedly borrowed 100 million KRW each from three individuals, including two K-pop idols and one singer, to cover mounting debts.
Additionally, two personal acquaintances, identified as A (an actor) and B (a singer and actor), provided financial assistance during her time of need. Another figure, referred to as C, a singer, reportedly extended support in 2023 and again in May 2024, assisting her grieving family after her death. Beyond celebrity aid, Kim also borrowed 50 million KRW from a non-famous acquaintance known as D.
Furthermore, Run Entertainment, the agency she had been affiliated with for a year, contributed 60 million KRW to help cover her surgery and hospitalization expenses.
Amid these financial struggles, Kim Sae Ron’s aunt accused GOLDMEDALIST, the agency co-founded by Kim Soo Hyun, of attempting to extort a large sum of money from her. The aunt claimed that the agency initially demanded a 20 billion KRW penalty, later reducing it to 700 million KRW. She alleged that the agency hired three lawyers to pursue this payment, leading to Kim Sae Ron breaking down upon receiving the legal notice.
Desperate, she tried to contact Kim Soo Hyun but found him unreachable. The actress’s friends in the industry were allegedly instructed not to communicate with her, effectively cutting off any means of support.
In a poignant and private message shared via her personal SNS account in the early hours of September 8, 2024, Kim Sae Ron expressed her despair and gratitude towards those who supported her. She wrote, “If I’m dead, take a screenshot of this and make it public.
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These are the people who saved me. And to the people who left me when I was at the lowest point in my life. Think back on all that you received from me. Approximately ten minutes after posting the message, two acquaintances arrived at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
This deeply personal note has become a pivotal piece in understanding the struggles Kim Sae Ron faced, especially in the wake of her DUI case in 2022. After the incident, she was reportedly served a penalty notification from her former agency, GOLDMEDALIST.
Following this, she seemed to experience severe financial strain, leading her to seek help from people within and outside the entertainment industry. Despite her efforts to make amends and repay her debts, the lack of support and mounting pressures appeared to have taken a toll on her mental health.
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The tragic circumstances surrounding Kim Sae Ron’s death highlight the intense pressures faced by celebrities in the South Korean entertainment industry. Her story serves as a somber reminder of the importance of mental health support and the need for compassionate treatment of individuals facing personal and professional challenges.
What are your thoughts on the support systems available for celebrities facing personal crises? Do you believe the entertainment industry should implement better measures to assist artists during difficult times? Share your opinions below.
