Won Bin and Kim Sae Ron in "The Man From Nowhere" | Photo from Viki

Korean actress Kim Sae Ron was found dead in her home last Sunday, February 16. She was 24. 

Among those who rushed to pay his respects at the funeral home was Won Bin, the lead star of the 2010 movie The Man From Nowhere which also cemented then-10-year-old Kim Sae Ron's status as a child star. Actresses Han So Hee and Kim Bo Ra also reportedly visited the mortuary to pay their respects to their colleague and expressed condolences.

Won Bin, popular for the K-drama Autumn in My Heart, has not done any acting projects since The Man From Nowhere. So, he's rarely seen at public events these days. Clad in a black turtleneck top, black coat, and black pants, he visited the funeral of Kim Sae Ron at Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, and quietly mourned his co-star's sudden passing. He and his wife, actress Lee Na Young, also reportedly sent a wreath to offer condolences. 

Won Bin and Kim Sae Ron bonded while working on and promoting their award-winning movie. He won several Best Actor awards for his role as a mysterious man who, come hell or high water, saves a little girl (portrayed by Kim Sae Ron) who's been kidnapped. 

When Won Bin was named Best Actor at the 8th Korean Film Awards, he paid tribute to his colleagues, including Kim Sae Ron, saying, "I was very happy to be able to work with all of you, who were small but great actors." 

The Man From Nowhere was Kim Sae Ron's second acting project since her debut, and yet she made such a memorable, breakthrough performance that earned her Best New Actress awards at the 8th Korean Film Awards and 8th MaxMovie Awards. 

Kim Sae Ron debuted in the entertainment scene at nine with the film A Brand New Life. She later starred in series like The Queen's Classroom, Hi! School: Love On, and Secret Healer. Following her DUI incident, she appeared in the 2023 Netflix series Bloodhounds, her last project.

Lead photo from Viki and @ron_sae