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- 10 best movies and dramas featuring the late Kim Sae-ron
By Melissa Foong
Kim Sae-ron was an award-winning South Korean actor who began her career at a young age, quickly rising to prominence as one of the industry’s most notable child actors. Often mentioned alongside fellow stars Kim So-hyun, Kim Yoo-jung, and Yeo Jin-goo, she was widely recognised for her versatility and compelling performances. After stepping away from the public eye following a drunk driving conviction, Kim was found dead at her home in Seoul on Sunday at the age of 24. Despite her untimely passing, she leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the entertainment industry. Here’s a look at some of the best movies and dramas that highlight the enduring impact that Kim Sae-ron made during her time in the industry.
Kim Sae-ron first captured the public’s attention with her debut in the critically acclaimed 2009 film A Brand New Life, directed by Ounie Lecomte. At just nine years old, she delivered a deeply moving performance as a young girl abandoned at an orphanage, showcasing an emotional depth far beyond her years. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, marking the beginning of her journey as one of Korea’s most promising young talents.
Her breakthrough came in 2010 with The Man from Nowhere, where she starred alongside Won Bin in the action-thriller that became one of the highest-grossing Korean movies of the year. Playing So-mi, a neglected girl who forms a bond with a former special agent, Kim’s performance was widely praised for its raw authenticity. The film’s success not only solidified her as a leading child actor but also earned her recognition in the industry, with many critics predicting a long and successful career ahead.
As she transitioned from child roles to more complex characters, Kim continued to prove her versatility. She took on darker, more mature roles in projects like The Queen’s Classroom (2013) and High School – Love On (2014), where she played an angel navigating human emotions. Her ability to carry both heavy plot lines and lighter romance K-dramasmade her a favourite among audiences and directors alike. With each performance, she reinforced her reputation as one of the brightest young stars in Korean entertainment.
(Hero and feature images credit: Instagram/@ron_sae)
Best movies and dramas starring late South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron
1 /10
A Brand New Life (2009)
Directed by: Ounie Lecomte
Other stars: Ko Asung, Park Do-yeon
Kim Sae-ron made her acting debut in this critically acclaimed drama, playing Jin-hee, a young girl abandoned by her father at an orphanage. The film explores themes of loss, resilience, and the search for belonging. Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, A Brand New Life put Kim on the map as a promising young talent in the industry.
Directed by: Lee Jeong-beom
Other stars: Won Bin, Kim Hee-won, Kim Sung-oh
In this action-thriller, Kim played So-mi, a neglected girl kidnapped by a drug cartel, forcing her mysterious neighbour (Won Bin) to embark on a violent rescue mission. The film became one of the highest-grossing Korean movies of the year, and Kim’s heartbreaking performance as the vulnerable yet brave child was widely praised.
3 /10
The Queen’s Classroom (2013)
Directed by: Lee Dong-yoon
Other stars: Go Hyun-jung, Youn Yuh-jung, Kim Hyang-gi, Jung Suk-yong
Episodes: 16
This school drama follows a strict and mysterious teacher whose tough love challenges her students in unexpected ways. Kim Sae-ron played Ha-na, a bright and kind-hearted girl who learns valuable life lessons through her struggles. The series was well-received for its realistic portrayal of childhood growth and development.
Directed by: Sung Joon-hae
Other stars: Nam Woo-hyun, Lee Sung-yeol
Episodes: 20
A fantasy romance drama, Hi! School – Love On features Kim Sae-ron as an angel who unintentionally falls to Earth and ends up living as a high school student. As she navigates the complexities of human emotions and relationships, she finds herself caught between two best friends. The drama was a fan favourite, particularly among younger audiences.
5 /10
Snowy Road (2015)
Directed by: Lee Na-jeong
Other stars: Kim Hyang-gi, Kim Young-ok, Jang Young-nam
Episodes: 2
This heartbreaking historical drama tells the story of two girls—Jong-boon (Kim Hyang-gi) and Young-ae (Kim Sae-ron)—who are taken from their homes and forced into wartime servitude during the Japanese occupation. The drama sheds light on the suffering of Korean “comfort women” while emphasising themes of friendship, sacrifice, and resilience.
Directed by: Jo Hyun-tak
Other stars: Yoon Si-yoon, Kwak Si-yang, Lee Sung-jae, Yum Jung-ah, Mun Ka-young
Episodes: 20
A historical fantasy drama, Secret Healer follows the story of a cursed princess (Kim Sae-ron) who is abandoned in the mountains and raised by a shaman. She later embarks on a journey to break her curse with the help of a royal physician. Kim’s performance as the determined and kind-hearted princess showcased her ability to take on complex, multi-dimensional roles.
7 /10
Ordinary People (2018)
Directed by: Lim Jin-soon
Other stars: Ma Dong-seok, Jin Sun-kyu, Lee Sang-yeob
Ki-cheol (Ma Dong-seok) starts a new job as a contract gym teacher at a high school in a peaceful countryside village. However, he quickly senses that something is off when a female student goes missing, yet the villagers seem indifferent. The only person convinced that her friend has been kidnapped is Yoo-jin (Kim Sae-ron). Determined to uncover the truth, Yoo-jin teams up with Ki-cheol to search for the missing girl. As they dig deeper, Ki-cheol realises that all evidence of the girl’s existence is mysteriously vanishing.
8 /10
Leverage (2019)
Directed by: Nam Ki-hoon
Other stars: Lee Dong-gun, Jeon Hye-bin, Kim Kwon
Episodes: 16
A remake of the popular American series, Leverage follows a former insurance investigator who forms a team of con artists to take down the rich and corrupt. Kim Sae-ron played Go Na-byul, a skilled thief with exceptional physical abilities. The drama allowed Kim to explore a more action-driven, charismatic role.
Directed by: Park Ho-jin
Other stars: Nam Da-reum, Yoo Seon-ho, Bae Hae-sun
Episodes: 12
This fantasy thriller follows Ga Doo-shim (Kim Sae-ron), a high school student born into a family of shamans, who struggles to escape her fate of fighting evil spirits. Partnering with a classmate who gains the ability to see ghosts, she takes on supernatural forces lurking in her school. The drama was well-received for its unique blend of mystery, romance, and horror.
Directed by: Kim Joo-hwan
Other stars: Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi, Heo Jun-ho, Lee Hae-young, Ryu Soo-young
Episodes: 8
Initially cast in Netflix’s Bloodhounds, a crime-action drama about two young boxers taking on the world of illegal loan sharks, Kim Sae-ron’s role was ultimately removed from the final version due to her drunk driving incident in 2022. Despite this, her casting in the project reflected the industry’s continued interest in her talent before the controversy.
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Celebrities Korean Actress korean dramas K-dramas Kim Sae-Ron
