The tragic passing of actress Kim Sae-ron at just 25 has left family and friends grappling with sorrow and anger, particularly at the actions of YouTuber Lee Jin-ho.
Kim was found deceased on February 16, 2025, shortly after her battle with the fallout from her personal struggles, including her career turmoil following a drunk driving incident. Her family's grief was exacerbated by Lee's persistent attempts to contact them during the wake and funeral, which they believed were opportunistic rather than sincere.
According to her father, A, Lee called even during the family's time of mourning, expressing concern over the comments made by others but failing to show genuine condolences. After the funeral rites, A recounted, "I received calls from Lee even after we returned home from the crematorium, asking about Kim's memorial. I was disoriented and couldn’t process why he was contacting us at such a sensitive time."
Not only did the family feel overwhelmed by their loss, but they also confronted the onslaught of negative media portrayals and social media commentary. Kim's father openly criticized Lee Jin-ho's earlier videos, which mocked Kim’s struggles and led to immense distress for her. He stated, "Kim was suffering during her last days, and this continuous mockery only deepened her pain. It's unbearable to think of what she went through due to public scrutiny and judgment.”
The family's anguish was echoed when Kim’s father expressed concerns over secondary trauma to the family, stating, "The media has already labeled us, questioning our intentions and claiming we are wasting her earnings. This narrative is false and incredibly damaging to my family, especially to Kim's younger siblings who are left dealing with this aftermath."
Lee Jin-ho’s controversial content was cited directly by the family as contributing to Kim's mental health struggles. On the day of her death, Lee posted another video mocking Kim's character and questioning her choices, leading relatives to believe it played a part in her state of mind. A stated, "It pains me to think my daughter might have seen those remarks, as she was already under so much pressure from her prior mistakes and the media's relentless scrutiny."
The family revealed they were considering legal action against Lee Jin-ho for the distress his videos caused. They made it clear they intended to hold accountability for those benefitting from Kim's tragedy, saying, "We want Lee Jin-ho and any others who have profited from this tragedy to face consequences for their actions. It's only fair to seek justice for my daughter’s suffering." At the same time, Lee defended his actions by stating he created his videos from good intentions, saying, "I have always tried to help Kim Sae-ron by shedding light on her struggles; my intention was never to harm her."
This situation has sparked significant backlash against cyber harassment, with conversations around mental health, responsibility of media figures, and the impact of social media on celebrities growing louder. Kim's family’s case brings to light larger issues surrounding mental health support for public figures and the consequences of online bullying.
While intentions behind creating commentary content can vary, this case seems to confirm the serious impact such actions can have on individuals dealing with personal crises. The family has urged the public and media to approach these topics with sensitivity, stressing the importance of compassion during times of distress. "We hope our story will raise awareness about how harmful words can be, and we urge others to think before they speak or post online," A concluded.
Kim Sae-ron had first gained fame as a child actress after appearing prominently on the Korean film scene before her career was derailed by personal struggles with public perception and substance abuse. Her tragic end highlights the urgent need for mental health resources and the responsibilities media figures have toward those they cover.
She leaves behind her family and many fans who admired her talents and wished to see her succeed beyond her struggles. The conversation her family has opened continues to remind us of the human costs behind public personas and the imperative to treat individuals with dignity amid their pain.