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Korea’s relentless cycle of celebrity tragedy

Published: 21 Feb. 2025, 00:01

Yang Sung-hee

The author is a columnist at the JoongAng Ilbo.

When will this ever end? How many more lives must be lost before this tragic cycle is broken? Another young actress, relentlessly hounded by internet trolls and devoured by the tabloid media, has taken her own life. Kim Sae-ron, just 25 years old, had struggled to rebuild her career after a 2022 DUI incident forced her into hiatus. As she faced financial difficulties and sought a fresh start, even her most mundane actions became a “controversy,” fueling cyberbullying. Her death now evokes painful memories of Sulli, Goo Hara and other young female celebrities who succumbed after enduring relentless online abuse in recent years.

Wreaths outside late actor Kim Sae-ron's funeral parlor at Asan Medical Center in Songpa District on Feb. 17 [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Kim was a standout child actress. At just nine years old, she starred in “A Brand New Life” (2009), which was invited to Cannes, and later played a pivotal role in the hit film “The Man from Nowhere” (2010) alongside Won Bin. Her clear, ethereal presence carried both innocence and strength. As she matured, her distinctive transparency took on a new intensity, earning her another Cannes appearance in “A Girl at My Door” (2014) with Bae Doo-na. A seamless transition to adult roles seemed certain, but the DUI incident, which resulted in significant property damage, shattered her public image. She was fined 20 million won ($15,000), dropped by her agency and lost major acting opportunities, including a confirmed drama role. She was even removed from the Netflix series “Bloodhounds” (2023) mid-production.

But the real ordeal came afterward. As she stepped back from the industry and took a part-time job at a cafe, she faced accusations of staging her financial struggles for sympathy. A prominent entertainment YouTuber amplified this narrative, branding her period of self-reflection as fake contrition. Even maintaining an occasional social media presence was condemned as inappropriate. Hate comments and malicious media coverage solidified her reputation as a troublemaker and an outcast. While drunk driving is unquestionably wrong, the relentless, punitive harassment she endured far exceeded her crime. Desperate to recover, she tried launching a small business and even planned a theater comeback, but these efforts were publicly ridiculed. Even after changing her name to mark a fresh start, she found herself cornered with no escape.

Late actor Kim Sae-ron at the Seoul Central District Court on March 8, 2023 [YONHAP]

Suffocating scrutiny
“K-pop idols and stars are expected to be flawless in appearance and behavior.”

“The South Korean entertainment industry has a growing crisis of mental health neglect.”

International media offered such grim observations after Kim’s death. From Lee Sun-kyun, who died by suicide amid a drug scandal and media frenzy, to Park Sung-hoon, who lost a major drama role after past pornography consumption was revealed — the scrutiny of celebrities has become increasingly suffocating.

K-pop idols also have similar scrutiny. Blackpink’s Jennie was vilified for using an e-cigarette in front of staff members, aespa’s Karina was forced to apologize for confirming her relationship and former Riize member Seunghan was expelled from the group after private photos from his trainee days leaked, resulting in fans adamantly opposing his return. Many idols have had to leave their groups or halt activities after past school bullying accusations resurfaced.

The entertainment industry emphasizes a clean image and social responsibility, but in reality, baseless allegations often spiral into unchecked witch hunts, where accusations are taken as fact and celebrities become targets of excessive public outrage.

One mistake, a lifetime sentence
A single mistake — sometimes even just a slip of the tongue — can lead to career annihilation. The public, acting as self-appointed moral arbiters, ruthlessly “exposes” and “cancels” celebrities in the name of justice. There is a psychological mechanism at play — condemning others for moral failings reinforces one’s own sense of superiority. With the power to make or break careers, the public wields near-unchecked authority over celebrities' fates, often treating digital mobbing as a rightful consumer privilege.

Late actor Kim Sae-ron at the Seoul Central District Court on April 5, 2023 [NEWS1]

The harsher judgment often falls on young women who challenge norms, refusing to conform to passive expectations. Kim Sae-ron’s obituary was met with chilling irony. A viral comment on a community forum read: “The same people posting condolences today were tearing her apart just days ago. Their hypocrisy is terrifying. Who will they destroy next?”

Yale psychiatrist Na Jong-ho wrote on social media: “A society that permanently exiles individuals for mistakes without allowing redemption is not a healthy society. Watching people fall and then pretending nothing happened feels like a real-life Squid Game.”

“How many more lives must be lost before we stop weaponizing shame?” he asked. “It’s time for serious reflection.”

Everyone makes mistakes. If someone serves their punishment and sincerely repents, they should be allowed to start over. The real question is: Are we — the people so eager to destroy those who fall from grace — as morally pure as we demand celebrities to be?

Translated using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.

If you or someone you know is feeling emotionally distressed or struggling with thoughts of suicide, LifeLine Korea can be contacted at 1588-9191. The Seoul Foreign Resident Center offers English-language counseling. Contact 02-2229-4900 to arrange a session. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.