Revealing Kim Sae Ron’s State During Her Final Project Before Passing

New details have emerged about late actress Kim Sae Ron’s final film, Guitar Man, shedding light on her condition during production.

At a recent press screening held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul, the movie’s co-director Lee Sunjeong opened up about casting Kim Sae Ron for the lead role despite widespread opposition.

According to Lee, another actor was initially being considered for the role, but a suggestion was made to meet with Kim before making a final decision. She claims that despite receiving warnings, she decided to trust her gut and cast Kim Sae Ron.

There was another actor who was almost cast. It wasn’t finalized, so someone suggested, ‘Why not at least meet Kim Saeron?’

It’s not that there weren’t any objections. A lot of people warned me, saying it was a risky move — that we could shoot the film but never get to release it.

— Lee Sunjeong

The film was Kim Sae Ron’s first project following a highly publicized drunk driving incident in May 2022. The accident led to property damage and public backlash, prompting her to step down from the SBS drama Trolley and withdraw from the Netflix series Bloodhounds.

When finally meeting the late actress, Lee says she was struck by how passionate Kim Sae Ron was. The director explained that Kim had read the script thoroughly and brought creative ideas to the meeting.

We ended up having a meeting, and I was really struck by Kim Saeron’s passion for the film. She had read the script thoroughly and came prepared with ideas — she was actively engaged in the creative process. That really left an impression. I had concerns, of course, but I decided to stick to my convictions.

— Lee Sunjeong

Guitar Man‘s director also shed some light on Kim Sae Ron’s condition during the movie’s production. When asked about the actress’s “raw and hoarse” voice that’s apparent in the film, Lee revealed that the actress had shown up exhausted on set.

She showed up looking exhausted, and her voice was really hoarse. She apologized and said she wanted to re-record her lines later during post-production. I told her not to worry and to just do her best.

In the end, we weren’t able to record over it.

— Lee Sunjeong

Filming for Guitar Man wrapped up at the end of 2024. The movie is set to release in South Korean cinemas on May 30. It tells the story of a gifted guitarist who, despite the harshness of reality, seeks hope through music and meaningful connections.