On March 11, 2025, Yeri from Red Velvet expressed her sorrow through an Instagram story that many interpreted as a heartfelt tribute to her late friend, actress Kim Sae-ron. In her post, she included a screenshot of the poignant lyrics from “Twin,” an emotional ballad by BLACKPINK’s Jennie. The highlighted lines resonated with fans:
“I didn’t leave ya, I still see ya.”
These lines are thought to convey the enduring connection felt after losing a loved one. Following this, Yeri shared an image depicting two figures sitting back-to-back, which fans speculated represented herself and Kim Sae-ron.
The bond between Yeri and Kim Sae-ron was widely recognized, with Yeri famously referring to the actress as her “soulmate.” Their friendship was often highlighted on social media, further cementing their closeness in the eyes of fans.
This wasn’t Yeri’s first tribute; on February 22, shortly after Kim Sae-ron’s death, she posted lyrics from “Every Road, Every Season” by PL, a song that touches on themes of nostalgia and loss, further interpreted by fans as a quiet homage to her friend.
In response to Yeri’s poignant post, fans have taken to social media to offer words of comfort and support, echoing sentiments of sadness and urging her to remain resilient during this tough time.
“Yeri has experienced a significant amount of loss and tragedy; I hope she stays strong and has support around her,”an X user wrote.
Public sentiment has clearly reflected the deep impact of Kim Sae-ron’s passing on those who knew her. Many voiced their appreciation for the strength displayed by Yeri.
“Music speaks louder and stronger than any words. I feel so sorry for her, but she is so strong. This is all so terrible,”a user mentioned.
“This is so sad. I hope Yeri is surrounded by lots of her loved ones. I hope she can heal from this because I know she lost a few loved ones in the past. I also hope Sae-ron is finally happy and at peace,”another person remarked.
“I just hope she has a strong support system with her right now,”a fan wrote.
“Can Yeri please have a break?”a netizen added.
Others shared reflections on the profound nature of their long-standing friendship, emphasizing the emotional toll of such a loss.
“You know friendship breakups hit harder than romantic ones,”a fan commented.
“Everyone has their own version of ‘Twin.’ This is so heartbreaking. I remember that before KSR passed away, her friendship with Yeri had drifted apart,”another user wrote.
“Ever since the news about Sae-ron’s passing, Yeri has been on my mind. I keep thinking about how she must be feeling, especially considering the timeline and that she likely knew what was happening with her best friend,”an X user added.
Yeri’s Tribute Amidst Continued Controversy Surrounding Kim Sae-ron’s Death
The death of Kim Sae-ron on February 16, 2025, remains a contentious issue, particularly due to ongoing controversies involving actor Kim Soo-hyun. Recent claims suggest that he and his agency pressured Kim Sae-ron to repay an amount of 700 million KRW linked to damages from her 2022 DUI incident.
The situation escalated with the emergence of purported text messages and statements indicating that Kim Sae-ron sought assistance prior to her death. In response, Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist, have firmly refuted these allegations, labeling them as false and hinting at potential legal actions.
In the midst of these troubling events, Red Velvet continues to pursue their artistic endeavors. Their latest project, a documentary film titled Red Velvet Happiness Diary: My Dear, ReVeluv, premiered in theaters on February 19, 2025.