The suicide of South Korean actress Kim Sai Ron has ignited a new wave of criticism of the entertainment industry in South Korea, which has seen a meteoric rise in global fame but also places immense pressure and control on its stars.

Actress Kim Sai Ron was found dead at her home in Seoul on Sunday. She was not more than 24 years old. The young actress had been subjected to a barrage of negative and “hate” press criticism due to a 2022 conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol. The police did not provide more details about her death.

Experts pointed to the circumstances that led the young actress to this tragic end, highlighting the frustration and despair that often plague celebrities in South Korea. Other celebrities have committed suicide after their careers were turned upside down due to online bullying.

After completing the burial ceremony of Kim, on Wednesday, experts expressed optimism that what happened to her would not be a reason for changing the reality in which these people live. The entertainment industry in South Korea has tremendous popularity, with the Korean entertainment industry spreading globally and having more than 220 million fans around the world, four times the population of South Korea. However, there is a great interest in the dark aspect of the entertainment industry in South Korea.

The culture of competition is widely spread in South Korea, affecting all areas of life, from education to business. This causes it to witness one of the highest suicide rates among developed countries. Even when the total suicide rate decreases, death rates among young people at the age of twenty are high.

This pressure increases dramatically on celebrities, who always live under pressure to be perfect and meet the demands of “superhero fans” who have the ability to either make stars or destroy their careers. Therefore, the slightest mistake by an actor may destroy their career. This is what happened with actress Kim Sai Ron, who became very unpleasant, and the scenes in which she appears from TV shows, such as the series “Fishing outside the circuit,” were deleted on Netflix, produced in 2023.

“The law is not sufficient to punish celebrities. Rather, they become targets for a bombing of criticism,” Korean cultural critic Kim Hern Seick told the BBC. He referred to the famous Korean pop singers, Soleil and Ghu Hara, who committed suicide in 2019 after “long battles with the Internet,” although they did not face any known problems with the law.

As for Reoul, she offended the fans for not complying with singing in the Korean pop manner, while she was targeted online because of her relationship with her ex-friend. “YouTube users are achieving views, while the forums seek the greatest participation, and news platforms get the traveler. I do not think (the death of actress Kim Sai Ron) will change the situation,” he says.

“There must be a more striking criminal punishment against leaving bad comments,” he says. Kim Sai Ron’s father blamed a YouTube user for causing her death, claiming that the controversial videos he posted were the ones who caused deep emotional pain for her.

Others referred to the fingers of the accusation of some local media platforms, which were reported that they fueled the public hostility against them by spreading unconfirmed allegations. “This session should stop the assassinations of the personalities led by the media,” said the Citizen Callation Group for Democratic Media, a South Korean Civil Organization, in a statement on Tuesday.

Na Jong Ho, a professor of psychiatry at Yale University, likened the wave of celebrity mortality in South Korea with a real version of the famous series of chases and death, Squad Gim (Al-Houka Game), which achieved great success on the Netflix platform, and witnesses a fight between shouting to death for a cash prize Huge. He wrote in a Facebook post: “Our society abandons those who stumbled and goes forward as if nothing happened,” and asked about “the number of lives that should be lost before we stop causing this suffocating, suffocating shame?”

“Driving under the influence of alcohol is a big mistake. There will be a problem in our legal system if that passes without punishment. However, the society that bury people who make mistakes without giving them a second chance is not a healthy society,” explained Professor Na Jong Hu.

Last year, the BBC mentioned how “enthusiastic fans” in the reputable ironing ironing industry is trying to impose a specific lifestyle on their favorite stars, starting from their romantic relationships to practicing their daily activities outside the work, and they can become tolerant with the stars if they go out of the text. It is not surprising that Kim Sai Ron choose to withdraw away from the eyes of the public after being convicted of driving the car under the influence of alcohol, for which 20 million WNA (11,000 pounds) was deceived in April 2023.

However, public figures are not subject to the same treatment. Politicians, including opposition leader Lee Jay Meong, were also subjected to a previous condemnation of the leadership under the influence of alcohol, but they were able to recover, and even Lee Jay Meong has become the first candidate for the presidential elections in the country, according to opinion polls.

In South Korea, the Korean pop, Jeff Benjamin, says that “recovery is very difficult” for artists, especially when they commit something that harms their “ideal.” Benjamin compares what is happening in South Korea and entertainment industries in the West, as differences and scandals sometimes add a “great propaganda” to the reputation of celebrities. He says: “Although no one encourages a Hollywood celebrity when arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or even sentenced him to imprisonment for severe crimes, this does not necessarily mean the end of his career.”

While the Korean entertainment industry has taken steps to address the fears of the mental state of artists, it is unclear how effective these steps are. Benjamin says that real change can only happen when there is no more financial incentives or attention to trading such reports that violate celebrities.

This tragic event highlights the need for a more compassionate and supportive environment for celebrities, not just in South Korea but globally. The intense scrutiny and pressure faced by public figures can have devastating consequences, as seen in the case of Kim Sai Ron. It is crucial for society to foster a culture that values mental health and provides support rather than condemnation.

In the United States, similar pressures exist, albeit in different forms. Celebrities often face intense public scrutiny and criticism, which can lead to mental health issues. High-profile cases, such as the suicide of actor Robin Williams, have brought attention to the mental health struggles of celebrities. The entertainment industry in the U.S. has also seen a rise in awareness and initiatives aimed at supporting mental health, but there is still much work to be done.

Efforts to address these issues must involve a multi-faceted approach, including stricter regulations on online harassment, better mental health resources for celebrities, and a shift in public perception towards empathy and understanding. The entertainment industry, media outlets, and the public all have a role to play in creating a more supportive environment for those in the spotlight.

As the world continues to grapple with the impact of social media and the digital age, it is essential to recognize the human cost of unchecked criticism and scrutiny. The tragic death of Kim Sai Ron serves as a stark reminder of the need for change and the importance of supporting those who are often under immense pressure to maintain a perfect image.

In conclusion, the suicide of Kim Sai Ron has sparked a crucial conversation about the pressures faced by celebrities in the entertainment industry. It is a call to action for society to reassess how we treat and support public figures, ensuring that they have the resources and understanding needed to navigate the challenges of fame. By fostering a more compassionate and supportive environment, we can hope to prevent future tragedies and create a healthier, more empathetic world for all.