The final film featuring the late South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron has officially been released. According to the Korean Film Council’s box office data, Guitar Man, which premiered on Friday, drew 2,275 viewers on its opening day, landing at No. 10 on the box office chart. Released just before the early June holiday period in Korea, the film has attracted considerable attention as Kim Sae Ron’s last project.
Guitar Man tells the story of Lee Ki Chul (played by director and actor Lee Sun Jung), a struggling guitarist who joins an indie band called Volcano. As he plays alongside band members and Yoo Jin (portrayed by the late Kim Sae Ron), their shared passion for music begins to soften Ki Chul’s initially cynical outlook. However, as Ki Chul’s troubled past comes to light, tensions arise that threaten to divide the band.
At a press screening on May 21, director Lee Sun Jung revealed he had promised Kim Sae Ron the film would be released in late May 2025. Filming began in October last year, marking what was intended to be Kim Sae Ron’s comeback before her unexpected passing.
Following the release, Lee Sun Jung shared a heartfelt reflection on the film and Kim Sae Ron.
“I hoped she would take time for self-reflection until the film’s release and then return to acting,” Lee Sun Jung said. “Because I wanted to honor that promise, I pushed through parts of post-production faster than I should have, which I now regret.”
“Even after watching the footage thousands of times during editing, it still breaks my heart to see her on screen. She should have been here with me today. Standing here alone feels deeply sad and shameful,” he added.
Recalling their time on set, Lee Sun Jung also spoke of the challenges Kim Sae Ron faced during filming: “That was the hardest period in her life. She spent hours alone in a cramped car on set, trying to avoid people.” His words reveal the emotional toll Kim Sae Ron endured during production.
Kim Sae Ron first gained fame through acclaimed films like The Man from Nowhere, building a strong reputation for her talent and poise. However, her career stalled in 2022 after a drunk-driving incident in Seoul’s upscale Cheongdam district, where she crashed into a guardrail, a tree, and a transformer. She was fined roughly $14,500.
Following the incident, Kim Sae Ron withdrew from public life and struggled to relaunch her career. Then, in February 2025, news of her untimely passing shocked fans and colleagues, casting a tragic shadow over what was meant to be a hopeful new chapter.
Guitar Man contains poignant scenes that appear to mirror Kim Sae Ron’s inner struggles. Her character Yoo Jin voices lines like, “Life isn’t easy,” “I want to let it all go,” “Please remember me,” and “I’m scared. Now I have to go alone.” These moments resonate deeply in light of her real-life challenges.
The film currently holds a strong 9.2 rating on Naver, one of Korea’s largest web portals. Fans have praised it with comments such as, “Kim Sae Ron’s performance was as captivating as ever,” “A film that makes you miss Kim Sae Ron,” “A relatable story,” “Authentically captures the tensions of an indie band,” “Conveys the raw emotion of band music,” and “More enjoyable than expected.”
