Actor Kim Sae-ron’s death adds to the list of celebrity deaths in South Korea that underscore the enormous pressure they face under the gaze of a relentlessly unforgiving media that pounces on their every misstep.

Celebrity, or "idol", culture in South Korea is notoriously intense, with singers and actors held to high standards by both managers and fans.

South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, who previously starred in the Netflix action series Bloodhounds, is suspected to have died by suicide, South Korean Police confirmed via local outlets and the New York Times.

Korean celebrities may be loved by their fans, but make one slip-up and the online abuse starts, often fuelled by mass media.