Decision Comes After Attempted Return to Acting Following Drunk Driving Charge

Courtesy of Goldmedalist

Actor Kim Sae-ron has stepped down from the upcoming play, "Dongchimi," cancelling her plans for a comeback to acting after a hiatus of two years following a drunk driving charge.

The production company of the play, Globe Theater, announced that Kim has relinquished her role in the production, scheduled to run from May 3 to 12, citing "health reasons."

"Dongchimi," originally premiered in 2009, narrates the story of a family comprising two devoted parents and their three children. Kim was slated to portray the youngest daughter, characterized as lovable yet reckless.
 

▲ Actor Kim Sae-ron / Courtesy of GoldmedalistPublic reaction to Kim's casting was unfavorable, with reminders of her drunk driving incident in May 2022 resurfacing. The incident involved Kim allegedly colliding with street lights, guardrails, and an electrical transformer box, resulting in a temporary power outage. She was fined 20 million won ($15,000) for driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal threshold.

Kim's attempt to use theater as a means to return to the entertainment industry following controversy faced criticism and scrutiny, in contrast to instances where other actors, such as Kim Seon-ho and Jung Suk-won, utilized theatrical works to resume their careers after facing legal and personal challenges.

Cultural critic Jung Duk-hyun noted that such returns to the industry are subject to public perception and acceptance. The choice of theatrical works as a re-entry point offers a less exposed platform for celebrities to reconnect with audiences gradually.

Kim Sae-ron, who debuted as a child actor in 2009, gained prominence for her roles in various films and dramas, including "The Man from Nowhere" (2010), "Mirror of the Witch" (2016), and "The Villagers" (2018). Following the drunk driving incident, she withdrew from the thriller series "Trolley" and was edited out of most scenes from the Netflix series "Bloodhounds."

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