Death of young actor Kim Sae-ron sparks discussion about toxic online comments, media coverage in South Korea

South Korean actor Kim Sae-ron's death this week has triggered an outpouring of grief and calls for changes to the way the country's celebrities are treated in the public arena and on social media, which critics say can foster a culture of harassment.

The 24-year-old, who began her career as a child actor and earned acclaim for her roles in several domestic films, including the 2010 crime noir "The Man from Nowhere," was found dead by a friend at her home in the country's capital, Seoul, on Sunday. Her death was assumed to be a suicide. National Police Agency has said it does not suspect foul play and that Kim left no note.

Once among the brightest stars on South Korea's vibrant movie and television scene, Kim struggled to find work after a 2022 drunk driving incident, for which she was later fined in court.