Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kim Sae-ron

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kim Sae-ron made an impact.

Kim Sae-ron is a South Korean actress who began her career as a child model in 2001. She transitioned to acting in 2009 with the film *A Brand New Life*. She gained recognition for her role in *The Man from Nowhere* (2010), earning a Baeksang Arts Awards nomination. She further starred in television series such as *Listen to My Heart*, *The Queen's Classroom*, and *Hi! School: Love On*, and the film *A Girl at My Door*. Her first adult lead role was in *Secret Healer* (2016).

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2001: Began career as child model

In 2001, Kim Sae-ron began her career as a child model.

2009: First acting role in 'A Brand New Life'

In 2009, Kim Sae-ron had her first acting role in the film A Brand New Life, playing Jin-hee, directed by Ounie Lecomte. She was also invited to the Cannes Film Festival, becoming the youngest actress to attend.

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2009: Acting debut with 'A Brand New Life'

In 2009, Kim Sae-ron transitioned to acting with her debut film, A Brand New Life.

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2010: Co-starred in 'The Man from Nowhere'

In 2010, Kim Sae-ron co-starred with Won Bin in The Man from Nowhere. She played the role of Jung So-mi. The film became the highest-grossing film in South Korea for that year. She received several awards for her performances.

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2010: Recognition through 'The Man from Nowhere'

In 2010, Kim Sae-ron gained recognition through her role in the film The Man from Nowhere, earning a Baeksang Arts Awards nomination.

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2011: Film and television roles

In 2011, Kim Sae-ron appeared in the crime film I Am a Dad, playing the daughter of Kim Seung-woo, and had her first television role in the drama series Listen to My Heart. She was praised for her performance in the TV series. She also starred in the film Barbie.

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2011: Starred in 'Listen to My Heart'

In 2011, Kim Sae-ron starred in the television series Listen to My Heart.

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2013: Starred in 'The Queen's Classroom'

In 2013, Kim Sae-ron played a student in the television drama The Queen's Classroom. She won a Best Young Actress Award at the MBC Drama Awards for her role, shared with three other cast members.

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2014: Roles in 'Manshin: Ten Thousand Spirits', 'A Girl at My Door', 'Hi! School: Love On' and 'Manhole'

In 2014, Kim Sae-ron starred in the documentary-drama film Manshin: Ten Thousand Spirits, the film A Girl at My Door, the teen fantasy-romance television series Hi! School: Love On, and the thriller film Manhole. She also attended the Cannes Film Festival for the second time.

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2014: Starred in 'Hi! School: Love On' and 'A Girl at My Door'

In 2014, Kim Sae-ron starred in the television series Hi! School: Love On and the film A Girl at My Door.

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2015: Volunteering for the Blue Angels

From 2015 Kim volunteered for the Blue Angels, a volunteer group that cares for abandoned animals at animal shelters

2015: Roles in 'Snowy Road', 'To Be Continued' and 'Glamorous Temptation'

In 2015, Kim Sae-ron played lead roles in the Drama City television special Snowy Road and the television series To Be Continued, and she played the younger version of Choi Kang-hee's character in Glamorous Temptation. Her performance in Snowy Road was praised, and she won an award at the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival.

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November 2016: Signed with YG Entertainment

In November 2016, Kim Sae-ron signed with YG Entertainment.

2016: First adult lead role in 'Secret Healer'

In 2016, Kim Sae-ron took on her first adult lead role in the television series Secret Healer.

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2018: Starred in 'The Villagers'

In 2018, Kim Sae-ron starred in the thriller film The Villagers.

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2019: Starred in 'Love Playlist' and 'Leverage'

In 2019, Kim Sae-ron starred in the fourth season of the campus web drama Love Playlist and the thriller drama Leverage.

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January 2020: Signed with Gold Medalist

In January 2020, Kim Sae-ron signed with Gold Medalist, along with actors Kim Soo-hyun and Seo Yea-ji.

May 2021: Cast in 'The Great Shaman Ga Doo-shim'

In May 2021, Kim Sae-ron was confirmed to take the female lead role in the web series The Great Shaman Ga Doo-shim, alongside Nam Da-reum.

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April 2022: Cast in 'Trolley'

In April 2022, Kim Sae-ron was cast in the SBS drama Trolley.

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May 2022: Drunk-driving crash

In May 2022, Kim Sae-ron was involved in a drunk-driving crash, leading to approximately 2,000 stories about her in South Korean mainstream news over the next 1,000 days. These stories, along with criticism from YouTube gossip channels regarding her private life and alleged exaggeration of financial struggles, deeply affected her.

December 2022: Contract with Gold Medalist expired

In December 2022, Kim Sae-ron's contract with Gold Medalist expired.

2023: Release of 'Bloodhounds' with edits

In 2023, the series Bloodhounds was released, but a significant portion of Kim Sae-ron's scenes were edited out due to the drunk driving incident, and the storyline was revised.

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2023: Volunteering for the Blue Angels

Until 2023, Kim volunteered for the Blue Angels, a volunteer group that cares for abandoned animals at animal shelters, and raised awareness for abandoned animals on her Instagram account.

April 17, 2024: Acting in upcoming play 'Dong Chi Mee'

On April 17, 2024, it was announced that Kim would act in the upcoming play Dong Chi Mee. This would be her first return to acting since the incident.