South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, known for her role as Cha Hyun-joo in the 2023 Netflix’s hit series Bloodhounds, tragically passed away today in her hometown of Seoul. She was 24.

Police called to Kim Sae-ron’s apartment

Kim’s unresponsive body was found by a friend at her apartment in the Seongdong district. Police were alerted at around 5 p.m. local time this evening and could only certify her death on arrival.

According to police sources there were no signs of a break-in or a crime at the scene, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities have also asked the public to refrain from speculating about the circumstances and cause of death.

Kim made her acting debut playing the lead role as Jin-hee, a young child abandoned by her father in a Catholic orphanage in Ounie Lecomte’s maiden feature A Brand New Life in 2009.

She gained national acclaim the following year in the neo-noir action-thriller The Man from Nowhere – the country’s highest grossing film of 2010, winning the Best New Actress award at both the Korean Film Awards and the MaxMovie Awards.

Her filmography includes roles in 13 films and she also worked extensively in television, with memorable performances in the 2016 TV drama Secret Healer as well as The Villagers (2018).

Tributes pour in for Sae-ron

She largely withdrew from the public eye after being involved in a drink-driving incident on May 2022, for which she apologized profusely in a heartfelt post on her Instagram page. Nevertheless, she struggled to get her career back on track after it.

Her most recent project was the 2023 Netflix series Bloodhounds.

Tributes have been pouring in for the actress from fans on social media. “Such a tragic loss. Kim Sae-ron’s talent and warmth will never be forgotten. My deepest sympathies to her family, friends, and fans. May she rest in peace” one poster wrote.

Another added: “Deepest condolences to this young girl’s family. She didn’t deserve this. Very heart wrenching” while a third added: “Rest in peace to one of my favorite artists of all time.”