- South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron has died aged 25
- The events leading to her death have been compared to a “giant Squid Game”
- Sae-ron was cancelled following a car accident in May 2022
The events leading to the untimely death of South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron have been compared to a “giant Squid Game” by local academics.
Sae-ron was just 25-years-old when a friend found her dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul in late February. The cause of death was an apparent suicide. However, the situation leading to her passing could have been handled differently, according to a professor of psychology.
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Starting her career as a child model, Sae-won carved out a career as an actor in South Korean cinema. She starred in films like A Brand New Life in 2009 and 2010’s action thriller The Man From Nowhere.
However, things derailed after a drunk driving incident in May 2022. After crashing her vehicle into a transformer, the incident caused a temporary power outage. While no one was injured or killed, Sae-ron later fell victim to Internet trolling and cancel culture.
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Despite being seen in the 2023 feature Bloodhounds, Sae-ron continued to struggle in the months leading up to her passing.
Professor calls public reaction to Kim Sae-ron “a giant Squid Game”
Speaking out about the incident, Korean professor of psychology Peter Jongo Na condemned the events that led to Sae-ron’s avoidable passing.
Currently working at Yale, Jongo Na specialises in the prevention of suicide in Korea. The country currently has the highest suicide rate of all the Organisation of Economic Co-Operation and Development countries.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Jongo Na condemned the way in which Sae-ron was treated by the public following her arrest.
“A society that buries people without giving them a chance to recover just because they did something wrong is not a healthy society,” explained Jongo Na. “Our society, which abandons people who make mistakes or fall behind and moves on as if nothing happened, is like a giant squid game.”
“A death driven to the edge of a cliff”
The statement continued, highlighting the role that the public played in this tragedy.
“I don’t often talk about individuals. The death of a person is the result of a combination of socioeconomic, psychological, and biological factors. However, I can’t help but think that actress Kim Sae-ron’s death was a death driven to the edge of a cliff.”
He added: “The last time I saw news about her was an article about her having a hard time making ends meet, and she was working part-time. I remember seeing all kinds of malicious comments not only in the article, but also in the cafe where she worked.
“How many lives have to be lost before they stop inflicting destructive shame without giving anyone a chance to breathe? This is a time when we need social dialogue and reflection. I hope the deceased rests in peace. My heart aches so much.”
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
