Kim Sae-ron, Korean Star of ‘A Brand New Life’ and ‘The Man From Nowhere,’ Dies at 24

South Korean actor Kim Sae-ron, celebrated for her compelling performances from a young age, was found dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on Sunday. She was 24.

A friend discovered her body after Kim failed to attend a scheduled meeting, according to Reuters. Authorities have found no signs of foul play and are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

Born in 2000, in Seoul, Kim embarked on her acting career at the tender age of nine. She gained international recognition with her role in “A Brand New Life” (2009), which was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival, making her one of the youngest actors to be invited to the event. Her portrayal in “The Man From Nowhere” (2010) further solidified her status as a rising star in Korean cinema.

The actor transitioned seamlessly from child roles to more complex characters. Notable performances include “The Neighbor” (2012) and “A Girl at My Door” (2014). She also made significant contributions to television, with roles in series such as “The Queen’s Classroom” (2013) and “Hi! School-Love On” (2014) and 2016 period fantasy series “Mirror of the Witch.” She also made a mark with 2018 action-thriller film “The Villagers.”

In May 2022, Kim faced a personal and professional setback due to a driving under the influence incident in Seoul’s Gangnam District. The accident resulted in property damage and a subsequent fine of KRW20 million ($13,815). Following the incident, she took a hiatus from acting to reflect and address health concerns.

The actor was to resume her career with a role in the 2023 Netflix series “Bloodhounds,” but most of her role was edited out after the DUI incident. She withdrew from series “Trolley.” Kim was due to make her acting comeback with the play “Dongchimi” in 2024 but stepped back from that as well.