SEOUL, South Korea — In the approximately 1,000 days from May 2022 until her death, South Korean media outlets published around 2,000 stories about film actor Kim Sae-Ron. These articles depicted a stark portrayal of how local media often treat a celebrity’s fall from grace. Initially celebrated as a rising star in South Korean cinema, Kim was harshly criticized for a series of personal and professional mishaps.

For driving under the influence; discussing her financial troubles following the loss of acting roles; accepting a job in a coffee shop; making a tentative return to acting in theater; and socializing with friends without “showing remorse”; Kim faced widespread condemnation. Even a smile captured while filming an indie movie sparked controversy.

Kim’s death, at the age of 24, was officially ruled a suicide. It has added to a growing list of high-profile deaths among South Korean celebrities, a phenomenon some attribute to the relentless criticism meted out by an unforgiving media.