Actress Kim Sae Ron, who passed away at the age of 25, is said to have struggled with severe depression and financial difficulties, bringing great sorrow.

Kim Sae Ron halted her career after causing a drunk driving accident in May 2022. She later attempted a comeback through the play Dongchimi after a two-year hiatus. However, after news of her return sparked controversy, she withdrew from the project just one day later, citing health issues.

On the 17th, a media outlet reported, citing close confidants of the late actress, "Kim Sae Ron suffered from deep depression while preparing for the play. During rehearsals, she was seen turning pale, and her health deteriorated. Ultimately, after discussions with the production team, she decided to leave the project."

Additionally, Kim Sae Ron was said to have experienced extreme financial hardship. After her drunk driving accident in 2022, where she crashed into a guardrail and transformer, she was heavily fined and suspended her acting activities. She paid settlement fees to those affected by the accident and also covered the costs of additional damages.

During this process, she parted ways with her former agency, GoldMedalist. The agency calculated penalty fees and charged Kim, and she reportedly struggled to repay her debts.

As a result of her financial difficulties, Kim reportedly worked part-time jobs, including at a café and tutoring aspiring actors, to repay her penalty fees.

However, despite her efforts, she was unable to clear the large amount, and her depression worsened due to ongoing financial stress. According to her confidants, "Kim Sae Ron's depression became so severe that those around her were deeply worried. Still, she had a strong desire to return to her career and voluntarily sought treatment for her depression. However, public opinion remained negative, making it difficult for her to heal from her pain quickly."

Meanwhile, on the afternoon of the 16th, Kim Sae Ron was found deceased at her home in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, at 4:54 PM. A friend who had an appointment with her visited her house and discovered her, reporting the incident to the police. A police official stated, "There are no signs of external intrusion or criminal activity at this point, but the cause of death is under investigation."

Her funeral will be held at Seoul Asan Medical Center. The wake will begin on the 17th, and the funeral is scheduled for the morning of the 19th.