History of Kim Sae-ron in Timeline

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Kim Sae-ron

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).

July 31, 2000: Kim Sae-ron's birth

On July 31, 2000, Kim Sae-ron was born. She would later become a South Korean actress.

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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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2012: 'Barbie' wins at Giffoni International Film Festival

In 2012, the film Barbie, starring Kim Sae-ron alongside her sister Ah-ron, won Best Film at the Giffoni International Film Festival.

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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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February 2016: Graduation from Yang-il Middle School

In February 2016, Kim Sae-ron graduated from Yang-il Middle School in Ilsan.

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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2018: Admission to Chung-Ang University

In 2018, Kim Sae-ron was admitted to Chung-Ang University's Department of Performing Arts and Film Studies.

2019: Dating rumors with Kim Soo-hyun

From the summer of 2019, Kim was dating Kim Soo-hyun.

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.

2020: Relationship lasted with Kim Soo-hyun

Until the fall of 2020, Kim maintained a romantic relationship only lasted with Kim Soo-hyun.

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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2021: Filming for Urineun Maeil Maeil (Day by Day)

Filming for Urineun Maeil Maeil (Day by Day) was filmed in the latter half of 2021 and intended to be released in the first half of 2022.

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.

May 18, 2022: Drunk driving accident

On May 18, 2022, around 8 am in Gangnam, Kim had an accident that damaged public property while driving under the influence.

May 19, 2022: Posted hand-written apology

On May 19, 2022, Kim posted a hand-written apology to her Instagram account regarding her drunk driving incident.

November 4, 2022: Financial difficulties and part-time job

On November 4, 2022, it was reported that Kim had used all her career earnings to cover accident costs and settlement expenses, leading her to take a part-time job due to financial difficulties.

December 2022: Contract with Gold Medalist expired

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

2022: Career plateau after drunk driving incident

In 2022, Kim Sae-ron's career plateaued after a drunk driving incident, leading to public backlash and legal consequences.

March 8, 2023: Prosecutor requested a fine of ₩20 million

On March 8, 2023, the prosecutor of Seoul Central District Court asked for a fine of ₩20 million for Kim.

2023: Departure from 'Trolley' and editing from 'Bloodhounds'

In 2023, Kim Sae-ron left the production of Trolley and was partly edited out of the drama Bloodhounds due to the drunk driving incident, with revisions to the storyline.

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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.

March 24, 2024: Dating rumors denied

On March 24, 2024, Kim Soo-hyun denied dating rumors with Kim, after a photo she posted and deleted on Instagram circulated online. His agency, Gold Medalist, stated that the rumors were false.

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.

2024: Filming for Guitar Man wrapped-up

At the end of 2024, filming for Guitar Man wrapped-up for a planned release in May 2025.

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February 16, 2025: Kim Sae-ron's death

Kim Sae-ron died on February 16, 2025.

March 14, 2025: Gold Medalist confirms dating

On March 14, 2025, Gold Medalist published a statement confirming that Kim Soo-hyun dated Kim, though they claimed that their romantic relationship only lasted from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, when the actress was 19 to 20 years old; the actor was 31 to 32 at the time.

March 2025: Mother criticizes Gold Medalist's statement

In March 2025, Kim's mother criticized Gold Medalist's 2024 statement, which falsely portrayed her as a confused young woman who lied.

May 2025: Posthumous release of 'Guitar Man'

In May 2025, one of Kim Sae-ron's last films, Guitar Man, is set to be released posthumously.

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September 2025: Posthumous release of 'Urineun Maeil Maeil (Day by Day)'

In September 2025, Kim Sae-ron's last film, Urineun Maeil Maeil (Day by Day), is set to be released posthumously in South Korean cinemas, after delays due to post-production difficulties and the actor's drunk driving incident.