Yale Professor on Kim Sae-ron's Tragic News: "If Mistaken, One Could Be Socially Buried... Like 'Ojingeo Game'"

"Kim Sae-ron, Tormented by Malicious Comments, Driven to the Edge"

Actor Kim Sae-ron (25) was found dead, and Professor Na Jong-ho, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine, said, "Our society, which abandons those who make mistakes or fall behind and passes by as if nothing happened, resembles a giant Squid Game."

Actor Kim Sae-ron. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 17th, Professor Na wrote on Facebook, "Drunk driving is a very serious wrongdoing. If the punishment is too lenient, then there is a problem with the legal system," adding, "However, a society that buries people without giving them a chance to recover just because they made a mistake does not seem to be a healthy society."

He said, "I usually avoid commenting on individuals," explaining, "Because one person's death is the result of a complex interplay of socioeconomic, psychological, and biological factors." However, he added, "I cannot help but strongly feel that the death of actor Kim Sae-ron was a death pushed to the edge."

Professor Na recalled, "The last time I saw news about her was an article saying she was doing part-time work due to financial difficulties. I also remember seeing not only the article but the cafe where she worked being flooded with malicious comments," and wrote, "How many lives must be lost before we stop imposing destructive shame without a moment to breathe? It is time for social dialogue and reflection. My heart aches deeply."

Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, the day before. According to police investigation, no signs of external intrusion or criminal suspicion were found.

She began her entertainment career in 2001 as a child model for the magazine 'Enfant' and gained attention by appearing as a child actor in the film The Man from Nowhere (2010), starring Won Bin. She continued active work in dramas such as Can You Hear My Heart (2011), What’s With This Family (2012), Mirror Witch (2016), and Usumadang Gadu-sim (2021).

However, she faced severe criticism after causing a drunk driving traffic accident in May 2022, which effectively halted her acting career. Last year, it was reported that Kim Sae-ron was working at a cafe due to financial hardship.

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