Kim Sae Ron, whose career was halted due to a drunk-driving accident, is set to return to the stage. As reported by OSEN on April 17, Kim will appear in the theatrical production Dongchimi, marking her first professional endeavor after a lengthy hiatus for personal reflection.
On May 18, 2022, Kim was involved in a serious accident near the Hakdong intersection in Seoul’s Gangnam district, where she collided with various structures, including guardrails and a transformer. Following the incident, she was detained by law enforcement. Opting for a blood test rather than a breathalyzer, her blood alcohol level was determined to be 0.2%, significantly above the legal limit of 0.08% required for license revocation.
In the aftermath, Kim expressed deep remorse for her actions, acknowledging her mistake had adversely affected numerous people, from local shop owners to the general public. “I made a significant error in judgment while intoxicated and failed to act responsibly,” Kim explained, committing to rectifying the consequences of her actions with her management’s support.
The controversy surrounding Kim didn’t end with the accident. During her time away from the spotlight, her sincerity was questioned due to certain personal activities, including a birthday celebration. Moreover, she reported experiencing financial hardships and working odd jobs, which led to further disputes concerning her honesty. It was later revealed that Kim had shifted her focus from casual employment to providing acting lessons to emerging talents and aspirant actors.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, Kim was involved in yet another controversy after posting an intimate picture of herself and actor Kim Soo Hyun on Instagram stories. Though she deleted the picture seconds after, speculation about the two possibly being in a relationship grew until Kim Soo Hyun’s agency had to deny the rumors.
Kim’s return comes nearly three years after her role in the 2021 drama special Women of the Palace and two years after her last project was overshadowed by her involvement in a scandal. Her upcoming play, Dongchimi, is a family drama about a tight-knit family navigating life’s trials and maintaining deep familial ties despite occasional conflicts.
Source: OSEN
