South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron’s demise left everyone heavy-hearted and shocked on February 16. After remaining silent for a while, her family has now reacted to the untimely passing of Kim at her funeral, which took place on February 17. The actress’s father made a statement, alleging that his daughter had suffered emotional distress due to the actions of a YouTuber.
At the funeral, Kim Sae-ron’s father claimed that a YouTuber had contributed to his daughter’s emotional turmoil. He specifically referenced a video by YouTuber Lee Jin-ho, who criticised Kim Sae-ron for posting wedding-themed photos on social media. The video, titled “Kim Sae-ron’s self-deletion again… Gone into hiding after marriage rumours? Tried contacting her directly,” sparked controversy and intensified public attention. Although the video has since been removed, the family is reportedly gathering evidence in preparation for legal action against Lee Jin-ho. The YouTuber had also made allegations about Kim Sae-ron’s financial struggles, suggesting that she had resorted to working in a café.

Kim Sae-ron’s funeral was attended by several celebrities from the South Korean entertainment industry, including her The Man from Nowhere co-star Won Bin. Korean media outlets reported that Won Bin was visibly upset and paid his respects by sending a wreath. He was seen wiping away tears during the ceremony. Other actors, such as Kim Bo-ra and Han So-hee, also attended to express their condolences.
Kim Sae-ron, who was discovered dead at her Seongsu-dong residence on 16 February by a friend, showed no signs of forced entry or foul play. The police confirmed that the case would be treated as an “unattended death,” with suicide presumed as the cause.
Kim, known for her roles in A Brand New Life and Bloodhounds, had faced significant setbacks in her career following a drunk-driving incident in Seoul. She crashed into a transformer, leading to the revocation of her driving licence.