According to SBS Entertainment News, Kim Sae-ron took on a portion of her family’s debt and relied on financial assistance from individuals in the entertainment industry to get by. Court documents from 2023 revealed that she was listed as a creditor in her father’s bankruptcy, where his debts exceeded ₩250 million.
Her father, only known as A, filed for bankruptcy in December 2020 after facing business failures due to COVID-19; the proceedings were finalized in March 2023.
Kim Sae-ron faced financial challenges including debts amounting to ₩700 million to her former agency Gold Medalist and an additional ₩60 million to Run Entertainment. She also owed large sums of money to various friends in the entertainment industry, ranging from singers and actors to athletes, totaling over ₩1.2 billion (approximately US $860,000).
Her financial troubles worsened in May 2022 when she was involved in a drunk driving accident that caused damage to a utility transformer. The legal fees and compensation costs, including payments to affected businesses, added significant pressure.
During her DUI trial in 2023, Kim Sae-ron’s legal representative characterized her as the “sole provider” for her family, requesting leniency due to their financial struggles. Reports suggested she was seen working part-time at a café post-trial, indicating her dire financial circumstances.
These revelations provide a poignant insight into the financial and emotional burdens carried by Kim Sae‑ron before her tragic passing. Her story, filled with efforts to support her loved ones, mounting debts, and public scrutiny, highlights the often unseen impact of personal and familial crises.
