The tragic passing of 24-year-old South Korean actress Kim Sae Ron has once again highlighted the troubling double standards regarding the overwhelming online hostility faced by Hallyu celebrities. The actress, who began her career at the tender age of 9, was discovered deceased in her residence in Seoul on February 16.

Authorities have since classified her death as a suicide. An officer stated, according to Yonhap News Agency on Monday, “We believe she made an extreme choice and plan to handle it as a suicide.”

The Netflix star retreated from public view following a DUI incident in 2022 that significantly tarnished her image. Kim took a break from her career after her vehicle collided with a roadside electrical transformer while she was under the influence. She received a fine of 20 million won, equivalent to approximately $13,850 US.

Beyond the financial penalty, the incident had a profound emotional and professional impact on her. Forced out of the limelight due to the ensuing humiliation, the actress made several attempts to return to acting, yet all efforts were thwarted by ongoing public criticism.

Yale University professor compares the Kim Sae Ron tragedy to a ‘real-life version of Squid Game’

Na Jong Ho, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale University, expressed his thoughts on Facebook on February 17 regarding the tragic death of Kim Sae Ron, stating that it appears to be the result of an individual being driven to their limits. He emphasized that a society which discards individuals after a single mistake, without offering a chance for redemption, is fundamentally unhealthy.

Na, who previously appeared on You Quiz on the Block, drew parallels between the ongoing issues within Korean society and the lack of opportunities for rehabilitation. He remarked, “Our society tends to cast aside those who falter, moving forward as if nothing has occurred. It resembles a large-scale, real-life version of 'Squid Game.' How many more lives must be sacrificed before we cease this oppressive cycle of shame?” as reported by the Korea Times.

He urged for a broader societal introspection, noting, “The last report I encountered about her indicated that she was compelled to take on part-time work due to financial struggles. I also recall the café where she was employed being inundated with hurtful comments. How many more lives must be lost before we stop perpetuating this relentless and damaging shame, leaving no space for recovery? It is imperative that we engage in social dialogue and reflection at this juncture.”

Singer Migyo mourns Kim Sae Ron's death + calls out double standards

Singer Migyo similarly addressed the relentless barrage of harmful comments prevalent on the Internet. In her tribute to Kim Sae Ron following her passing, she expressed on Instagram, “It is only upon a person's death that the malicious commenters cease their activities. I doubt that these individuals even recognize the nature of their comments as harmful.”

She further remarked, “The media and broadcasting outlets exhibit similar behavior. They exploit the issues they uncover and publish sensational articles. Yet, once a person has died, they behave as if they were never involved. It is repugnant. It requires little effort to drive someone to despair. Only the deceased are truly unfortunate. May the departed find peace,” as reported by Koreaboo.

Financial woes engulfed the Bloodhounds star as she was shunned after DUI controversy

A close associate of Sae Ron has disclosed that following the incident involving drunk driving, she adopted the name Kim Ah Im in an effort to secure employment at a café to alleviate her financial difficulties. Unfortunately, this endeavor did not yield positive results. Although the actress initially went unrecognized, she received a termination notice after her images were disseminated across online platforms, leading to swift identification by netizens.

Prior to her passing, Kim Sae Ron withdrew from a role in the series Trolley. Additionally, a significant portion of her storyline was removed from Bloodhounds, which stands as her final K-drama project. She had intended to make a return to acting through a theatrical production scheduled for April of the previous year. The film Guitar Man, anticipated for release later this year, is set to be her last project.

This opportunity was also eliminated due to a resurgence of public backlash. The Korean actress openly acknowledged her mistake during the DUI incident, but the ongoing animosity eventually took a toll on her. In a now-deleted brief video on Instagram, she expressed her distress, pleading, “Can’t you all just stop?”.

Narrative flipped over after her death

Regrettably, it was only after her passing that fan communities began to relent, igniting conversations regarding the excessive scrutiny that celebrities, particularly those associated with the Hallyu wave, endure.

"Kim Sae-ron recognized her errors, expressed remorse, and endeavored to progress in her life. However, the relentless animosity and public apathy she encountered were beyond what any individual could withstand. Observing politicians who have committed far graver offenses living unencumbered while celebrities face such disproportionate scrutiny compels us to question the prevailing double standards," stated a message on the online platform DC.

Media backtracks previous critical headlines targeting Kim Sae Ron

Following Kim's passing, which has captured global attention, K-media outlets have gradually altered their narrative to reflect on the challenges she faced. An article from AllKpop titled, “Late Kim Sae Ron continued to show love for abandoned animals despite harsh criticism,” faced significant backlash for its abrupt change in tone.

Kookmin Ilbo also reported that the star of A Brand New Life took the initiative to visit and compensate all 57 businesses impacted by the transformer incident in Gangnam in May 2022. At that time, the actress shared a handwritten apology on her Instagram. A store owner remarked on their astonishment, stating, “I was shocked when Kim Sae Ron came to apologise in person,” highlighting the rarity of a celebrity taking direct responsibility for their actions.

Despite her apologies and efforts, Kim continued to experience financial struggles and relentless criticism. However, during her lifetime, the media rarely portrayed her in a positive light. This trend appears to have shifted now that she has passed away.

Rest in peace, Kim Sae Ron.

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