Kim Sae-ron: How Her Suicide Represents The Harsh Truth Of The Sexist Public Scrutiny Women Face In South Korea For Simply Living – And What It Says About The Stigma Surrounding Mental Health In South Korea?

It was recently reported that Korean actress Kim Sae-ron passed away due to suicide. She was found deceased by her friend, who had plans to see her that day, on February 16. She was only 24 at the time of her death. And yet, the Korean community felt that they’d known her forever. After all, she’d been in the entertainment industry since she was 9 years old. Her first role was an orphan called Jinhee in the 2009 drama, ‘A Brand New Life’, which earned her international acclaim. She followed it up with another memorable performance in the action-thriller, ‘The Man from Nowhere’, which cemented her as a rising star. Some of her other memorable roles include ‘The Neighbor’ (2012), ‘A Girl at My Door’ (2014), as well as the drama series ‘Mirror of the Witch’, which first aired for 20 episodes starting in 2016.

Sae-ron then stepped away from her acting career after she was caught driving under the influence of alcohol in May 2022. The once popular star crashed her car into a guardrail, trees and a transformer during the incident in southern Seoul, which caused a temporary power outage in the area. She was fined a sum equaling about $15,000 for the incident in April 2023. Simultaneously, Sae-ron attempted to resume her career and return to the limelight by starring in a play, ‘Dongchimi’, but after she was met with backlash, she dropped out of the project due to health issues. Her hiatus finally came to an end in 2023 with Netflix’s series, ‘Bloodhounds’. However, much of her screentime was edited out in the wake of her accident, as well as the surrounding controversy.

With all that being said, I think it’s important to explore mental health, and its severity, in South Korea. Over the past few decades, mental health has become an increasingly serious issue in health in the country. A 2021 survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare found that 32.7% of males and 22.9% of females in South Korea developed symptoms of mental illness at least one time in their lives, with suicide being the most frequent cause of death for people aged 9 to 24. Since the late 1990s, South Korea has been enacting policies to address societal mental health challenges. These efforts increased into the late 2000s and 2010s, but a number of studies have suggested they have not significantly reduced the prevalence of such concerns.

It’s fairly safe to say that mental health in South Korea is considered a significant issue, with the country reporting one of the highest suicide rates globally. This is largely attributed to societal stigma around mental illness, lack of awareness about mental health services, and a culture that emphasizes “saving face”, which can discourage people from seeking help. Despite this, a large percentage of the population experiences mental health issues, especially depression and anxiety, particularly among the elderly and adolescents. Key factors that are to be considered in the matter are:

• High suicide rate: South Korea has the highest suicide rate among OECD countries, with suicide being a leading cause of death for young people. 
• Stigma and cultural factors: A strong societal stigma associated with mental illness prevents many people from seeking help, due to concerns about losing face and appearing weak. 
• Prevalence of mental disorders: Studies show a high lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in South Korea, with a significant number of people experiencing depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. 
• Gender disparities: Women tend to report higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to men, while men may be more likely to struggle with substance abuse. 
• Access to care: While there has been an increase in mental health services available, access to quality care remains a challenge, with many people not utilizing available options. 

Over the past decade or so, the amount of Korean celebrity deaths caused by suicide has drastically risen in Korea, and we couldn’t help but notice a pattern. These include Korean public figures such as Jonghyun, who died in 2017, Sulli and Goo Hara, both of whom died in 2019, as well as Moonbin and Lee Sun-kyun, both of whom died in 2023. Each time a Korean public figure passes away in such a manner of death, a conversation reignites about the mental well-being of South Korean celebrities and public figures, casting a spotlight on the pressures they face in the competitive, as well as how stressful Korean entertainment industry and the pitfalls for those deemed to have made transgressions. Particularly, K-pop idols are known to be subject to intense scrutiny and high expectations from their strict management, which has been linked to a mental health crisis in the industry.

Following Sulli and Goo’s deaths in 2019, Paik Jong-woo, a psychiatrist and the director of the Korea Suicide Prevention Center, attributed part of the high suicide rate to social stigma. According to studies, fewer South Koreans who suffer from depression seek help than in other developed countries. He said, ‘Artists tend to experience emotions more vividly and because their job is being loved by the public, they cannot help but be more sensitive to public views. There needs to be special attention to prevent celebrity suicides.’ Lee Gyu-tag, a professor of cultural studies at George Mason University Korea in Incheon, added that South Korea’s intesely online culture also plays a role. He told CNN, ‘I believe that the internet is also having an influence in imposing stricter moral standards on actors and singers in Korea. Whether they did drugs or committed illegal crimes, if it is not a serious mistake, they should be punished by law, and that’s it. But the public seem to think that people in the entertainment business deserve criticism or shameful comments on the internet.’

These suicides that we’ve seen in recent years in Korea are not isolated incidents, but a reflection of systemic issues within the entertainment industry. This begs the question: Why do so many young stars, who seemingly have everything, succumb to such pressures? It’s not just the relentless work schedules or public criticism, but a deeper, more insidious issue – a culture that doesn’t allow for vulnerability, imperfection, or the recognition of mental health struggles. In South Korea, celebrities aren’t just entertainers – they’re expected to embody idealized – almost unattainable – standards of behaviour, appearance and character. K-pop idols, as well as actors and actresses must maintain a perfect public image at all times. The public’s demand for an “ideal” image is rooted in the notion that idols are not only entertainers, but are also, even more so, role models for the younger generation. With that being said, they’re not allowed to mess up and make mistakes by any means. They aren’t allowed to be anything less than perfect.

The Korean concept of “idol” culture is one of perfection. Idols are expected to maintain strict discipline in their personal and professional lives, with their agencies imposing rigorous, over-the-top schedules and rules. These can include everything from limitations on dating, curfews, constant media training, and social media restrictions. Celebrities are often under immense pressure to uphold a pristine image to remain successful and relevant in the highly competitive entertainment industry. This pressure is intensified by the industry’s demanding nature, which often leaves little to no room for personal privacy or freedom.

These relentless pressures contribute to a mental health crisis that often goes unnoticed. While the many fans of these celebrities enjoy the music and performances, as well as the movies the performers make, the human cost of this “idealised” image is often hidden behind the glitz and glamour of the stage. The drive for this ‘perfect image’ that’s portrayed in public time and time again has led to a growing number of tragedies. The suicides of South Korean celebrities, often caused by the overwhelming public scrutiny, cyberbullying, mental health struggles, and the relentless pressure to conform to social expectations, are part of a wider issue plaguing the entertainment industry.

The South Korean entertainment industry has long been criticised for its “slave contracts,” which force idols to endure gruelling schedules that often leave little room for personal life. These contracts typically require idols to work excessively long hours with little regard for their physical or mental health. Mainly, it’s because mental health is seen as non-existent in South Korea. Mental health is is still a taboo subject and many idols are often reluctant to seek professional help. This reluctance is compounded by the fear that showing vulnerability might damage their career prospects.

In 2020, the country reported 24.3 deaths by suicide per 1,00,000 people, which is significantly higher than the global average of 10.5. According to state-run Statistics Korea, 13,978 people took their own lives in 2024, which translates to 27.3 deaths per 100,000 people. This marks an 8.5% increase from the 2022 figure of 25.2 deaths. Amongst ‘regular people’, the pressures of school, work and social expectations are often cited as contributing factors, but the entertainment industry’s specific demands amplify these stressors for idols. The tragic deaths of Kim Sae Ron, Moonbin, Sulli, Jong-hyun, and many other entertainers of South Korea raise the same set of questions about the future of the K-pop industry, and the entertainment industry in the country as a whole. Is the price of fame too high? Can the industry evolve to support the mental health of its idols? These are questions that need to be addressed to prevent further tragedies.

There’s so much to be said about mental health and the stigma surrounding it. There’s even a stigma surrounding mental illness in developed countries like Canada and United States. It only started be talked about more and more when the Covid-19 pandemic started in March 2020. It led to a global increase in mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia. That was when EVERYONE was going through mental health struggles. That year, The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a 25% increase in anxiety and depression globally in the first year of the pandemic. In Canada, one in five adults reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or PTSD in the fall of 2020. More services were provided for those struggling. And yet, still not enough. Key points that could explain the gap in mental health services are:

• Funding limitations: Governments often allocate insufficient funds specifically for mental health services, limiting the ability to expand access and support programs. 
• Provider shortage: There is a significant shortage of mental health professionals like psychologists and psychiatrists, particularly in rural areas, leading to long wait times for appointments. 
• Insurance reimbursement issues: Insurance companies may not adequately reimburse mental health providers, discouraging them from specializing in this field. 
• Stigma and social perception: The stigma associated with mental illness can prevent people from seeking help, further exacerbating the issue. 
• Geographic disparities: Access to mental health services can vary significantly depending on where someone lives, with rural communities often facing greater barriers. 
• Aging workforce: Many current mental health professionals are nearing retirement age, without enough younger professionals to fill the gap. 
• Increased demand: Due to growing awareness of mental health issues, the demand for services is increasing, further straining the existing system. 

Covid years were very hard for me. The months leading up to me were great. My freelance writing business was growing, my marriage was blooming after a rough patch, and my husband and I were preparing to finally moving out to our own little place after living together with my parents for 8 years. March 2020 hit – BOOM. My world turned upside down, and so did everyone else’s. There were days I couldn’t get off the couch or even shower. Doing basic daily tasks like showering, brushing my teeth, and eating felt like doing chores that required heavy lifting.

This was also the time I was struggling in my chronic health, as well as my fertility journey. It felt like I was on a downward spiral; like the world was against me, and there was no way up. All the medication I had to intake to treat epilepsy and infertility were making my condition worse. Their side effects were depression and anxiety, and I felt that in my bones. Then I got pregnant. My neurologist certainly wasn’t on my side. He was on the side of how to make more cash out of me. My well-being wasn’t even on his radar. After I had two grand-mal seizures during my pregnancy and he still failed to treat me properly, I decided not to seek any medical care regarding my epilepsy from any doctor. After I had my son, I decided to take my illness into my own hands. I stopped taking anti-seizure medications completely. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could be in control of my own body. It wasn’t just that specific neurologist that was the problem. It was all of them. I had two previous neurologists laugh at my face.

I was very fortunate with my OB/GYN during my pregnancy. I felt heard. I felt seen. I felt like I mattered. She made my high-risk pregnancy seem effortlessly easy. But not all mothers-to-be are ever as lucky. A friend of mine was telling me that when she was pregnant, her OB/GYN was only thinking of the health of her baby, and think for a second of her health. The medical professional was even calling my friend ‘Mom’ throughout the entire pregnancy. Of course, this made her even more anxious and worried than she already was, and I myself saw it in her at the time. Finally, I understood why that was when she told me.

The support that I received while I was pregnant was suddenly gone after. It wasn’t in her job description to help me in any shape or form after my 6-week postpartum appointment. I’d never felt more alone in my entire life. When I finally decided to get professional help, my husband advised me against. ‘You signed up for this,’ he kept saying while having a bright smile on his face. It wasn’t until one of my best friends suffered her own postpartum depression breakdown that cost her son’s life that he realized just how serious my condition could be. Thereafter, he encouraged me to get help. But help wasn’t available. Help STILL isn’t available. I’ve been waiting to get approved to be seen by ANY psychiatrist for months, if not even a year by now, and none of them approve me for different reasons. Some have given the excuse that they simply don’t have time for me as their reason. I even had a panic attack that landed me in the hospital, and I’ve still yet to receive any type of professional help. Doctors tried to tell me it was a seizure, and belittled my anxiety level. And to put an emphasis just how problematic and inexcusable this treatment coming from the medical system is, I’d like to discuss Tranyelle Harshman, who earlier this month, killed her 4 young children and then herself in a murder-suicide. Many would describe this a selfish act. Her husband, Cliff Harshman, however, said otherwise. He told Cowboy State Daily, ‘Most people don’t understand how that affects the brain. It’s a chemical imbalance. This is so out of character. It’s unbelievable what had happened. We’d been getting her help, and along the way something didn’t work.’ On the day of the murder, all four children were home sick, and Cliff was away on a work-related assignment. The kids were between the ages 2 and 9 years old. Having a child isn’t glamorous. More needs to be done for those who are struggling and asking for help!!!

But my struggles with depression and anxiety didn’t start when we were all in the midst of Covid years. They began more than half a decade prior; when I was reeling from my sexual trauma, my husband’s health decline, the aftermath of surviving a car accident, which then led to my epilepsy diagnosis. All these years felt like a never ending rollercoaster ride, and I’m not taking what I’ve written here lightly. You’re probably wondering to yourself why I’m even mentioning everything I’d gone through in my mental health journey in a blog entry relating to mental health in South Korea. I’m obviously not Korean, and I’m obviously not of Asian descent.

I’m sharing this because I want to put an emphasis on the fact that I’m just ONE person living in a developed country, and still not getting the care that desperately need from the medical system after years of suffering with my mental health. Whereas those who are in the entertainment industry in South Korea go through so much more, with even less resources available to them in order for them to get the help that they need. Kim Sae-ron was a young woman in her 20s. This should’ve been her prime. This should’ve been her time to shine. Instead, she was punished and humiliated for making a mistake; a mistake that under other circumstances, would’ve been forgotten about by now.

And people on the internet certainly agree with me. In a Reddit thread, one fan commented, ‘Damn, I thought she was amazing in « Man from nowhere » and was sure she would go on to have a fantastic career. I only ever saw her in one other movie so this comes as a shock. Korean society is ruthless.’ Another wrote, ‘I remember when she was booted from Bloodhounds for drink driving and crashing her car. She was working in a bar desperately trying to pay back the damage. Couldn’t get any work as an actress. Shunned and shamed.’ And a third wrote, ‘Sad that she took this route. She should have just got out of South Korea.’

Korean ‘idols’ are expected to be living saints, perfect role models, innocent, kind, nice, open-minded angels and to cut it short, they are expected to be clean, pure and won’t make mistakes nor problematic things. The term “cancel culture” came into circulation in the late 2010s and early 2020s and has mostly negative connotations. It’s the the withdrawal of any kind of support (viewership, social media follows, purchases of products endorsed by the person, etc.) for those who are assessed to have said or done something unacceptable or highly problematic, generally from a social justice perspective especially alert to sexism.

But of course, cancel culture has a lot more to do than just with sexism. On October 19, 2023, news broke that Lee Sun-kyun was being investigated for allegations of illegal drug use. Within days, he saw his entire career crashing down. Korean telecom giant SK Telecom pulled an advertisement featuring Lee and his wife. He was replaced by another actor in the drama series, ‘No Way Out’, which was about to start shooting. The release of two of his films, which were in post-production at that time, became uncertain. In short, Lee was ‘canceled’ less than a week after the allegations were made public. Thereafter, the actor disappeared from public view, except when he was made to appear in front of the media each of the three times he underwent a police interrogation. The fact that he tested negative for drugs multiple times throughout the monthslong investigation did little to change the public’s opinion that had turned cold on him. On December 27 that same year, he committed suicide. At the time of his death, he was 48 years old.

Lee Dong-gwi, a psychology professor at Yonsei University, sees Korea as a society sensitive to such flaws and quick to jump to conclusions. He said, ‘Celebrities deliberately craft a certain positive image, and the public later discovers that it was fake. This recurring pattern among entertainers has led the public to hastily jump to conclusions.’ He also added that it is as important to acknowledge that each case could be different, and therefore, to make judgments more carefully. But what about second chances? We know that Lee Sun-kyun didn’t get the chance to revive his career. Getting a second chance is possible, but challenging in Korea. According to data analyzed by a local news outlet, among 30 entertainers involved in various controversies since 2010, the shortest duration required for a comeback was in cases of drunk driving or hit-and-runs, averaging 4.5 months. For drug use, celebrities took an average of 14.5 months to make a comeback. In cases of sexual offenses, it took more than 10 years for the star to return to public life.

I think it’s important to use entertainers in North American media to compare those in South Korea. Particularly, I want to mention Percy Hynes White, who starred as Xavier Thorpe in the first season of ‘Wednesday’, Netflix’s rendition of ‘The Addams Family’, Starring Jenna Ortega. He was let go following the success of the first season due to allegations of sexual assault and misconduct in 2023, which turned out to be not true. The Twitter user claimed in a since-deleted tweet, ‘He would pursue, have sex with, abuse and get my friend high who was 13/14 at the time. Last time I knew they had sex she was 16 and he was 20. He assaulted me at one of those parties awhile I was too drunk, and he had cornered and pressured and assaulted multiple of my friends.’

Hynes White later made a statement on the matter in an Instagram story, ‘Earlier this year, somebody I’ve never met started a campaign of misinformation about me online. Because of this, my family has been doxxed, and my friends have received death threats. Underage photos of me were used, and examples of me acting in character were presented as hateful. My friend Jane was falsely portrayed as a victim, and her attempts to set the record straight have been ignored. She gave me permission to include her in this message. The rumors are false. I can’t accept the portrayal of me as someone bigoted, or criminally negligent of people’s safety. These are the kind of baseless, harmful claims that can create mistrust toward victims. It’s very distressing to know that this misinformation has upset people. I’m really thankful for everyone who’s stood by me and helped share the facts. Harassment of my family, friends and coworkers needs to stop please. Thank you for taking the time to read this.’ Following the allegations, fans rallied together to have Percy White removed from the show, which they succeeded. He was able to revive his career when the allegations against him came out to be untrue, with movies like ‘My Old Ass’ and ‘Winter Spring Summer Or Fall’, which also stars Ortega.

And then there’s Justin Baldoni – actor, director, and producer. He initially got his start in the entertainment industry in small roles in Hallmark movies such as 2012’s ‘Undercover Bridesmaid’ with Brooke Burns. His big break was his starring role as Rafael in ‘Jane The Virgin’ between 2014 and 2019 with Gina Rodriguez. Following a successful and intriguing 2017 TED Talks presentation, he made the title of his talk, ‘Man Enough’, the brand name of his entire entity. He wrote a book, started a podcast, as well as co-founded a production company. Through his production company, he’d produced movies such as ‘Five Feet Apart’, which he also directed, ‘Clouds’, which he also directed, ‘Will & Harper’, ‘The Gardfield Movie’, ‘Ezra’, and ‘A Nice Indian Boy’. He also produced, directed, and starred in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, ‘It Ends With Us’, which also starred Blake Lively.

This is where the story of Baldoni’s downfall begins. Signs of trouble began to circulate during the production of the film in 2023. Then at the movie’s premiere in 2024, Baldoni wasn’t in any promotional tours with either of the cast or Hoover. He wasn’t even photographed with any of the cast members of the film, whereas Lively seemed to have taken a lead. It was as though they were promoting two different films entirely – Lively, Hoover, the rest of the cast, and Even Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman were promoting a rom-com, whereas Baldoni promoted and brought awareness to a movie on domestic violence. The entire cast, as well as Hoover, unfollowed Baldoni on Instagram.

The world sort of moved on from the whole drama that endured between Baldoni vs. everyone; until December 2024. That was when Lively officially filed a complaint against Baldoni, where she accused him of such things as toxic work environment, sexual assault, as well as sexual misconduct. An article was then posted in The New York Times, with details of the full complaint. The entire world and the Hollywood community automatically sided with Lively, and put Baldoni in a corner, without even knowing the facts. Baldoni faced severe consequences in his career soon after. He then filed his own lawsuit against The New York Times, as well as Lively and Reynolds for significant amounts of money. His lawsuits were very important, because they proved that Lively lied and edited out her evidence to villainize Baldoni. Suddenly, the world was questioning Lively’s motives yet again; even more so than they did months prior when the movie just came out. The whole world was watching.

As of the publishing of this blog entry, Baldoni is yet to see a comeback. The trial is set for March 2026. One thing is clear in the case of Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: We’re all too quick to make a judgement and base our opinions on what we’re presented with, which could be much further from the truth itself. In the case of Baldoni, his peers in the industry were too quick to judge him, just like the Korean entertainment industry was too quick to judge Lee Sun-kyun. There was enough proof and evidence to show that he was in the clear, and yet, even that wasn’t enough. He still had to be punished for something he didn’t even do, and it cost him his life. At what point do we say, ‘Enough is enough?’

Kim Sae-Ron’s recent death should be a wake up call for everyone. She was a young woman in her 20s. She’d worked in an adult dominated world since she was 9 years old, but it never changed the fact that she was still a young woman who, in a ‘normal life’, would’ve been allowed to mess up just the same as most normal 20-something year old women do. But she didn’t. She couldn’t just be a normal 20-something year old woman. Instead, she was failed and humiliated, and publicly so. Her death exposes the depth of gender bias faced by female stars, especially in South Korea. Female celebrities face severe scrutiny and ostracism over DUI incidents, while their male counterparts often get second chances. Kim once seemed destined to grow from a successful child actor to a mature artist, but her one mistake shattered her future. Following the accident, which drew intense public scrutiny as she hit an electric transformer, causing a power outage that affected the neighbourhood, Kim issued a handwritten apology the next day. And yet, many criticised her for allegedly fleeing the scene without taking immediate action and for the damage incurred. Only after her death did it become widely known that she had visited each of the 57 nearby businesses affected by the outage to personally apologise and offer compensation. Despite these efforts, public opinion remained harsh.

I remember my early 20s as my formative years. I was still trying to figure myself out. I was still trying to find a way to fit in to this big, big world. I made my own share of mistakes. I was allowed to mess up sometimes. It was almost expected of me. That’s the entire point of your 20s. In fact, studies show that a woman becomes fully mature at age 32. So how in the world are we supposed to just expect a 24 year old young woman to be perfect all the time? How many more lives will be lost until the lesson is learned? There’s something so powerful about kindness and forgiveness – something that South Korea has yet to realize. But women like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, who’d also faced DUI arrests in the past when they were in their 20s, are now absolutely thriving in their careers and personal lives in their own right. Life isn’t always black and white. It’s messy. Making mistakes is inevitable. What’s important is the ability to recognize your wrongdoings and move forward. Sometimes, it’s not up to you, just like it wasn’t for Kim Sae-Ron. There’s no such thing as perfect, and I hope that Kim Sae-Ron’s death is the last we see a life taken so soon due to enormous pressure celebrities face under the gaze of a relentlessly unforgiving media that seizes on every misstep.