Controversial actress Kim Sae Ron pulls out from comeback project 'Dongchimi' due to 'weak' physical condition
South Korean actress Kim Sae Ron's planned return to acting through the stage play Dongchimi has been cut short. The news comes after a hiatus following a drunk-driving incident in 2022. Reports, however, indicate she has withdrawn from the project.
In an article by Korean news outlet OSEN carried by Koreaboo, Kim was supposed to star in the upcoming theater drama Dongchimi. The play revolves around a family comprised of a pragmatic father, a sacrificial mother, and three siblings who strive to maintain their familial bond despite the conflicts surrounding their lives.
However, allkpop reported that a production team official for Dongchimi said that they have decided not to continue the play production with Kim due to her "physical condition."
"She had weak stamina so we've been discussing whether she would continue with us or not. We made the final decision yesterday (April 17). We hope that there are no more speculative articles regarding this issue," they explained.
Despite this, the official said that Kim "really put in much effort" to prepare for her role, going as far as to go on a retreat with the production team and cast members.
A string of controversies
Kim's last project was the 2021 anthology series KBS Drama Special, where she starred in the episode "The Palace," before she got herself into an accident for driving under the influence in Gangnam District, Seoul in May 2022.
She crashed into several structures including transformers, guard rails, and street trees, causing the electricity supply of nearby shops to be cut off for about three hours.
After the incident, the actress took to her Instagram account to post a handwritten letter apologizing for her actions.
"I had an accident that damaged public property in Gangnam around 8 am yesterday, May 18," she said in her letter.
"At the time, I had made a major mistake while under the influence of alcohol. With my wrong judgment and actions, I have caused damage to so many people, including merchants in the surrounding shopping malls, citizens, and restoration workers," she continued.
Kim expressed remorse for not acting "more cautiously and responsibly" and apologized to those who were affected by the crash as well as her fellow actors and the production team for disrupting the production of her projects.
"There is no excuse for this unfortunate incident, and I am disappointed and so ashamed of myself for the wrongs I have committed. I will reflect deeply so that this does not happen again. I am sorry," she ended.
Despite taking a hiatus, her public life continued to generate controversy due to actions that raised questions about her authenticity. These include claims about attending a birthday celebration and working at a cafe, but later reports indicated that she was instead working as an acting instructor to aspiring talents.
The most recent controversy about the Korean star was her photo with Queen of Tears star Kim Soo Hyun, leading to speculations that the two of them have started a romance. This was however denied by Soo Hyun's agency.
The Drama City actress also said that maintaining silence and refraining from making any comments on the matter would serve her best in the situation.
"I really thought hard to myself and I feel that it would help me to be silent. I will not be making a statement and will no longer comment," the South Korean actress said during an interview with My Daily, via Times Entertainment.