Korean star, Kim Sae-ron of 'A Brand New Life' and 'The Man From Nowhere,' dies at 24

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

'Kim Sae-ron.'

Imazins via Getty Images

According to Reuters, Kim's body was discovered by a friend after she failed to arrive for an arranged meeting. Authorities discovered no evidence of foul play and are examining the circumstances surrounding her death.

Kim was born in Seoul in 2000 and began her acting career when she was nine years old. She achieved international attention for her appearance in "A Brand New Life" (2009), which was shown at the Cannes Film Festival, making her one of the youngest performers to be accepted. Her performance in "The Man From Nowhere" (2010) reinforced her standing as a rising star in Korean cinema.

The actor seamlessly shifted from kid parts to more sophisticated characters. Notable performances include "A Girl at My Door" (2014) and "The Neighbor" (2012). She has also made important contributions to television, appearing in series such as "The Queen's Classroom" (2013), "Hi! School-Love On" (2014), and the 2016 period fantasy series "Mirror of the Witch." She also made an impression with the 2018 action-thriller film "The Villagers."

Kim had a personal and professional setback in May 2022 after being caught driving under the influence in Seoul's Gangnam District. The collision caused property damage and a subsequent fine of KRW20 million ($13,815). Following the tragedy, she took a break from acting to contemplate and treat her health issues.

The actor was set to continue her career with a role in the 2023 Netflix series "Bloodhounds," but the majority of her scenes were cut following the DUI incident. She has withdrawn from the series "Trolley." Kim was supposed to make her acting comeback in the play "Dongchimi" in 2024, but she also backed out.