Kim Sae-ron, Star ofA Brand New LifeandThe Man from Nowhere, Found Dead in Her Home at 24

Mar. 15, 2025

Kim Sae-Ron in 2019.Photo:Han Myung-Gu/WireImage

Han Myung-Gu/WireImage

Kim Sae-ron, a South Korean actress known for her childhood roles inA Brand New LifeandThe Man from Nowhere, has died. She was 24.

The Netflix star was found in her home in Seongsu-dong, a neighborhood in eastern Seoul, just before 5 p.m. local time on Sunday, Feb. 16, theYonhap News Agencyreported, citing police. A friend who had plans to meet with the actress found her and reported her death, the outlet said.

The Korean National Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, Feb. 16.

Actress Kim Sae-Ron in 2018.Han Myung-Gu/WireImage

Kim made her acting debut at age 9 with her lead role as orphan Jinhee in the 2009 dramaA Brand New Life, which earned her international acclaim.

She followed it up with another memorable performance in action-thrillerThe Man from Nowhere, which cemented her as a rising star.

Some of the late actress’s other memorable roles include 2012’sThe Neighborand 2014’sA Girl at My Door,and, more recently, the hit drama seriesMirror of the Witch, which first aired for 20 episodes starting in 2016.

Kim Sae-Ron in 2019.THE FACT/Imazins via Getty

THE FACT/Imazins via Getty

Kim then stepped away from her acting career after she was caught driving under the influence of alcohol in May 2022, according toYonhap.

The star crashed her car into a guardrail, trees and a transformer during the incident in southern Seoul, causing a temporary power outage in the area, the agency said. She was later fined a sum equalling about $15,000 for the incident in April 2023.

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The star’s acting hiatus officially ended with her role in Netflix’s action seriesBloodhounds, which hit the streamer in June 2023. However, much of her screentime was edited out in the wake of her 2022 accident and the surrounding controversy,Varietyreported. The project marked her final work.

source: people.com