The death of 24-year-old South Korean actress Kim Sae Ron has sparked a renewed conversation about the double standards faced by celebrities in Korea, particularly those riding the Hallyu wave.
Kim Sae Ron was found dead at her home in Seoul on February 16, with police declaring her death a suicide. The Netflix star had been under intense scrutiny after a 2022 DUI controversy marred her reputation. She went on a professional hiatus and was fined $20 million won for crashing her car into an electrical transformer box while drunk.
However, the double standards surrounding Kim’s situation are what have sparked debate. While she faced relentless online hate and public backlash, politicians guilty of more serious crimes often receive less scrutiny. As Yale University professor Na Jong Ho noted, “Our society discards those who stumble and moves on as if nothing happened.” He compared Kim’s situation to a “real-life version of Squid Game,” highlighting the need for social reflection and dialogue.
Singer Migyo also spoke out about the double standards faced by celebrities. She mourned Kim Sae Ron’s death and called out malicious commenters who only stopped after her passing. Migyo wrote, “Only when a person dies do the malicious commenters stop. I don’t think malicious commenters even know they are writing malicious comments.”
Kim Sae Ron’s struggles with financial difficulties were well-documented, but the media rarely reported on these issues while she was still alive. The actress had changed her name to Kim Ah Im to apply for a job at a cafe, but this attempt ultimately ended in rejection due to online backlash.
The narrative surrounding Kim Sae Ron has flipped after her death, with fan communities finally giving voice to their support and criticism of the unfair scrutiny faced by celebrities. As one statement on the online community DC noted, “Kim Sae-ron acknowledged her mistakes, apologised, and tried to move on with her life. But the constant hostility and public indifference she faced exceeded what anyone could bear.”
With Kim’s death making headlines worldwide, K-media outlets have belatedly switched their narrative, remembering how hard things were for her. It is a stark reminder of the need for social reflection and dialogue about the double standards faced by celebrities in Korea.
Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series