From Bright Beginnings to a Rising Career
Kim Sae-ron, once one of South Korea’s most loved child actresses—famous for A Brand New Life and The Man from Nowhere—continued acting into adulthood with roles in Bloodhounds and the soon-to-be-released Guitar Man. She was trying to rebuild her career and even started using a new name, Kim Ah-im, to mark a fresh start.
A Dream Away from the Spotlight
Friends shared that Sae-ron wanted to open a café with people close to her. This wasn’t a sudden idea—she had worked part-time in a café during her acting years but had to quit because of busy filming schedules. She planned to finally make that dream real. But, just days before she passed away, YouTuber Lee Jin Ho revealed that her café project in Mapo, Seoul, lost investor support—only two days before her death, forcing her to give it up.
The Heavy Debt Behind Her Dream
While her café plan looked hopeful, the truth was difficult. Court records showed she was dealing with massive debt—about 1.2 billion KRW (~USD 900,000). This included loans from friends, her agency, and repayments linked to her father’s bankruptcy. When she was 20, her father’s bankruptcy left her paying over 250 million KRW (~USD 180,000) in family debts. Later, a failed family restaurant investment made her financial situation worse.
Two Goals: Acting Comeback and Stability
Even with so much pressure, she kept moving forward. She had finished filming Guitar Man and hoped it would restart her acting career. At the same time, she wanted the café to bring her stability, planning to balance both acting and business in her future.
Her Last Year: Quiet Struggles
In her final year, Sae-ron was planning her future carefully—returning to acting, paying off her debts, and building her café. There were no clear signs of tragedy. But when she lost the investors, faced overwhelming debt, and continued to carry family responsibilities, her dream slipped away.
A Dream That Meant More Than Business
For Sae-ron, the café wasn’t just about making money—it was about rebuilding her life. She wanted a fresh start for herself and to support her family. Sadly, her dream ended before it could even begin.
