"She Was One of a Kind" 'Man from Nowhere' Director Shares Heartfelt Words About Kim Saeron

Director Lee Jung-beom, who directed the 2010 film "The Man from Nowhere"—the movie that put the late actress Kim Saeron on the map—paid tribute to her, saying, "I hope she's remembered as a great actress."

On February 17, Lee Jung-beom attended Kim Saeron's funeral to say his final goodbye, and he briefly spoke to reporters afterward, sharing his deep sorrow.

Lee Jung-beom reflected, "People often called Saeron a child prodigy, a genius actress. But I would say that she was more of an incredibly sensitive child."

He continued, "A lot of young actors just mimic performances, overdo their expressions, or try to make themselves look more impressive than they are. But with Saeron—despite being just 11 years old, I felt like I was talking to a seasoned actress in her 20s. She was different. That kind of emotional depth isn't something you can learn. It came naturally to her." 

He added, "I relied on her emotions a lot, and they played a huge role in 'The Man from Nowhere.' Honestly, I think the film owes a lot to her performance, especially her emotional acting." 
Lee Jung-beom, who shared that he saw Kim Saeron as his own daughter, admitted that her sudden passing has weighed heavily on him.

Struggling for words, he said, "She is so young, with her whole life ahead of her… and now this…" 
A few moments later, Lee Jung-beom expressed his hope that people would remember her for the light she brought to the screen.

The director acknowledged her past mistakes first, saying, "As she got older, there were certain things that didn't always go the way she hoped, and she made some mistakes along the way."

Then, he added, "But what matters most is the incredible moments she gave us in her films—I hope that's how she's remembered." 

In the end, Lee Jung-beom said, "In my heart, she'll always be the Saeron from 'The Man from Nowhere.' I think she'd also want to be remembered as an actress who loved being on set." 
On this day, actor Won Bin, who starred alongside Kim Saeron in "The Man from Nowhere," also attended her funeral.

At the service, Won Bin appeared heartbroken, seen wiping away his tears with tissues.

(Credit= CJ ENM) 

(SBS Star)