K-drama star Kim Sae-ron tragically died by suicide, police have revealed after her body was found at her home in Seoul on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Bloodhounds star was discovered lifeless by a friend who visited the home and called police, local media reports.
‘We believe she made an extreme choice and plan to handle it as a suicide,’ police said, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
Kim was one of the most promising actresses in South Korea, but her career took hit after a drink driving accident in 2022.
After being fined around £11,000 for the infraction, she struggled to land more roles.
She first appeared on screen at just nine years old and gained roles in a number of films and TV shows.
Kim rose in popularity as a child star in the 2009 film A Brand New Life and 2010’s The Man From Nowhere (pictured 2018)
The 24-year-old star (pictured in Bloodhounds) was discovered lifeless by a friend on Sunday
Kim (left) appears in A Brand New Life, 2009
The actress, best known for her appearance in the Netflix drama series Bloodhounds, posted photos of herself and Moonbin on what would have been his 27th birthday on January 26 with the message ‘HBD’ (acronym for Happy Birthday)
Kim published a haunting Instagram message about a tragic K-pop star before her death, commemorating the birthday of late K-pop star Moonbin.
Moonbin was found dead in his apartment in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in 2023, with police saying his death was a suspected suicide.
The 25-year-old singer, actor, dancer and model, was best known as a member of boy band Astro and its sub-unit Moonbin and Sanha.
Kim, best known for her appearance in the Netflix drama series Bloodhounds, and Moonbin appeared in the 2015 web series To Be Continued together alongside other Astro members.
She posted photos of herself and Moonbin from To Be Continued on what would have been his 27th birthday on January 26 with the message ‘HBD’ (acronym for Happy Birthday).
She rose in popularity as a child star in the 2009 film A Brand New Life and 2010’s The Man From Nowhere.
Kim later got her debut adult role in the 2016 TV drama Secret Healer and also appeared in the 2018 thriller The Villagers.
In May 2022, she was involved in a drink driving incident and was fined £11,000 by a court the following April.
In her last social media post on January 26, Kim commemorated the birthday of late K-pop star Moonbin, who was found dead in his apartment in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in 2023, with police saying his death was a suspected suicide
Singer, actor, dancer and model Moonbin (pictured), who was found dead in 2023, was best known as a member of boy band Astro and its sub-unit Moonbin and Sanha
Her role in Bloodhounds was later reduced amid a significant backlash over the conviction. Bloodhounds was her last show.
In a post at the time, Kim said she was ‘very sorry’ and apologised to the production crew.
She wrote: ‘I had an accident yesterday on May 18, around 8 am in Gangnam, I made a big mistake by being drunk at that time.
‘I am also very sorry to the production crew, including fellow actors and staff, for interrupting the production of the work that is being shot and the work that was being prepared.
‘Once again, I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience.
‘There is no excuse for this unfortunate incident and I am disappointed and so ashamed of my mistake.
‘I will reflect and reflect again and again so that this never happens again. I’m sorry.’
Kim Sae-ron is pictured above in a screengrab of the 2015 film A Girl At My Door
In May 2022, she was involved in a drink-driving incident which saw her fined £11,000 by a court the following April
Kim is seen in the South Korean drama A Girl At My Door in 2015
Tributes to Kim have poured in from fans on social media following the announcement of her death.
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, and may those who loved her find strength during this difficult time.’
Another added: ‘I am still in denial, wishing it was all just a bad dream. Rest in Peace, Kim Sae-ron.’
A third wrote on X: ‘Rest in peace to one of my favorite artists of all time.’