'I won't be in pain anymore': Late actress Kim Sae Ron's cryptic message 5 months before death revealed

Late South Korean actress Kim Sae Ron posted a cryptic message on her private social media account five months before her death, seemingly revealing her struggle with suicidal thoughts before her passing.

She had also been struggling with repaying her debts worth millions of won.

"I won't be in pain anymore."

A close source told SBS Entertainment News that the actress had posted a cryptic message on her private social media account at around 2am on Sep. 8, 2024.

Kim requested that her friends share the post if she ever died. She mentioned the names of colleagues who helped her, adding, "They are the ones who saved me."

She also addressed those who left her when she was at her lowest.

"To those who left me when I was at my lowest: think about what you've taken from me."

Expressing frustration over the aftermath of her drunk driving incident, Kim added, "At least for now, I won't be in pain anymore."

Two of her acquaintances reportedly saw the post within minutes and rushed to her house. And according to Korean media, they were able to"prevent a crisis at the time".

Borrowed money from numerous acquaintances

The source also revealed to the South Korean news outlet that Kim was financially struggling despite continuously working multiple jobs, including jobs at flower shops and bars, as well as an acting coach.

While the report did not name the personnel who helped her, they said two members of a famous K-pop group and a singer had allegedly each lent Kim around 100 million won (S$94,000).

An actor and a singer-actor both said to have lent her money after May 2022, though they did not disclose the exact amounts.

One of the singers also reportedly sent money to her family members around May 2024.

Another singer's representative also confirmed the singer had lent Kim 12 million won (S$112,000) in the second half of 2023 and about 8 million won (S$7,000) in May 2024.

Kim had also borrowed 50 million won (S$47,000) for a housing lease deposit from a businessman, who was also an acquaintance of hers.

She also borrowed around 60 million won (S$56,000) from her agency, Run Entertainment, for surgery and medical expenses, which was settled after her contract ended in October 2024.

It was previously revealed that Kim owed 700 million won (about S$652,000) to her former agency, Gold Medalist, after Kim's acting career was disrupted by a drunk driving incident in May 2022.

She had been battling intense negative media attention and online hate following the incident.

Kim passed away on Feb. 16, 2025, at the age of 24.

Following her death, rumours of her alleged underage relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun also came to light, leading to widespread media attention over the controversy.

Helplines

If you or someone you know is in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:

SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24 hours)

Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 (for primary school-aged children)

SHECARES@SCWO: Call: 8001 01 4616 | WhatsApp: 6571 4400 (for targets of online harms)

Top image via @ron_sae/Instagram