Friends have revealed that actress Kim Sae Ron, who tragically passed away at the age of 25, had been working hard to make a comeback in the entertainment industry.
A source close to Kim Sae Ron told The Korea Economic Daily on Sunday, “After the drunk-driving incident, Kim Sae Ron legally changed her name to Kim Aim. She applied for part-time jobs under this new identity and even worked at a café.”
Her friend added, “With her glasses and a different name, many didn’t initially recognize her. However, once word spread on social media and online forums that she was Kim Sae Ron, she was quickly let go. Employers would ask, ‘Are you Kim Sae Ron?’ and then terminate her. She was just trying to make ends meet with these part-time jobs, but the constant cycle of recognition and dismissal took a heavy toll on her.”
Despite these challenges, Kim Sae Ron never gave up on her dream of returning to acting. The source revealed, “Balancing part-time work with the potential for filming schedules was difficult. She had plans to open a café with friends near Hapjeong-dong and was even considering moving to the area. Kim Sae Ron believed that achieving financial stability would help her get back to acting, and I fully supported her in that effort.”
Following the drunk driving incident, Kim Sae Ron was also the target of relentless online harassment and unfounded rumors, prompting her to seek ongoing psychiatric treatment. The friend expressed concern, saying, “She desperately needed support from those around her.”
Tragically, Kim Sae Ron was found deceased in her Seoul apartment in Seongdong-gu. Reports indicate that a friend was the first to discover her. Authorities have stated, “While there is no evidence of foul play or forced entry, we are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.”