The late South Korean actress Kim Sae Ron had been grappling with substantial financial difficulties in the years leading up to her death, including debts she assumed from her family and unsuccessful business ventures.

Court documents from 2023 confirmed that Kim Sae Ron was listed as a creditor in her father's personal bankruptcy case, which involved over ₩200 million KRW (approximately $147,000 USD) in debt owed to more than 20 creditors following a failed business. Her father filed for bankruptcy in December 2020, at which time Kim was just 20 years old.

In an attempt to stabilise her family’s finances, Kim invested in a restaurant opened in 2021 under the name of an acquaintance. Despite her financial and industry support, the restaurant closed in 2024, reportedly before the lease ended. The property owner revealed that the business lost its deposit due to unpaid rent and management fees.

Her financial troubles worsened following her 2022 DUI incident. During her trial, her legal representative stated, “She is the head of the household in her family. Not only her, but her family is also struggling financially.” Reports noted that she was receiving financial aid from acquaintances in the entertainment industry.

By the time of her death, Kim reportedly owed at least ₩1.20 billion KRW (about $882,000 USD more 7 crores Indian Rupee), with debts owed not only to friends and industry peers—including singers, actors, and athletes—but also to her former agencies.

Meanwhile, actor Kim Soo Hyun has denied claims regarding their relationship timeline, stating that they began dating only after Kim Sae Ron reached adulthood.