Actress Kim Sae-ron is making her comeback to the entertainment industry a year after her drunk driving incident. Although she's reappearing in a brief music video, the public's lingering resentment towards her remains evident. The question is: will her return be a smooth landing or a rocky one?

On the 10th, the news about Kim Sae-ron's return caused quite a stir. She's set to appear in the music video of the new song "Bittersweet," a collaboration between music producer EI Brothers and pop singer Christine Corless. This comeback, occurring 1 year and 3 months after her DUI incident, has garnered significant attention.

In May of the previous year, Kim was involved in a drunk driving accident near Hakdong intersection in Gangnam, Seoul. During this incident, she collided multiple times with guardrails, trees, and a transformer, causing a power outage in nearby cafes and businesses. Kim had to compensate for the damages.

According to police investigations, Kim's blood alcohol level at the time exceeded 0.2%, surpassing the license cancellation limit. She was indicted without detention for violating traffic laws. During the trial, she was fined 20 million won. Throughout the trial process, Kim's side pleaded for leniency due to financial difficulties. However, photos of her celebrating at a birthday party at the Hold'em Pub surfaced on social media and online communities, leading to backlash.

In the midst of this, her appearance in the Netflix drama "Hound Dogs," released last June, also sparked controversy. Before the release, there was significant debate over her role. The production team decided to make partial edits and re-filming instead of removing her entirely. This move, considering her DUI controversy, drew criticisms.

However, post-release, some defended the decision. Kim's role in "Hound Dogs" was significant enough that completely cutting her out would have required re-shooting the entire series or affecting other actors like Heo Jun-ho. The decision to make late edits seemed justifiable.

Yet, not everyone welcomes Kim Sae-ron's return with open arms. Her recent appearance in the EI Brothers' music video has reignited fierce public disapproval. While some argue that the music video is not as big a deal as those of top idol groups and that other stars with DUI records have made quicker comebacks, a significant portion of the public still strongly disapproves of Kim's ongoing entertainment activities. Considering her trial and its conclusion only in April of this year, her resumption of activities just 4 months later is indeed swift.

Under such circumstances, will Kim successfully re-establish herself in the entertainment world? While severe criticism is inevitable, it's just an expression of public sentiment and doesn't directly restrict Kim's actions. However, as a celebrity, she must overcome public resentment, especially if she wishes to sustain her career in the long run.

Kim, who gained immense popularity as a child actor with her outstanding performance in the movie "The Man from Nowhere" and earned the title "Nation's Younger Sister," is still remembered fondly by those who have watched her grow. The public doesn't necessarily want her exit from entertainment but looks forward to seeing her genuine reflection and a change in attitude. If she can truly reflect on her actions, her maturity as an actress may also evolve. She's no longer a child star or a minor and must take responsibility for her actions. Whether she can persuade the public through her acting remains to be seen, and the choice is hers. At the same time, any dissatisfaction from the public is a burden she'll have to bear.

Copyright © 2023 Kpop Reporter. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.