Son Na-eun, the actress known for her role in the recent SBS drama “Agent Kim Reactivated,” is mourning the loss of her mother. The former Apink member’s mother passed away on October 17, 2026, at the age of 57. Her agency, J-Wide Company, confirmed the news the same day. Son Na-eun is keeping vigil at a funeral home in Seoul alongside her younger sister, professional golfer Son Sae-eun. The funeral procession is scheduled for October 19.
Agency Confirms the Passing
A representative from J-Wide Company gave a brief statement to South Korean media on October 17, confirming the family’s loss. The agency did not disclose a cause of death, and the family has requested privacy during the mourning period. The memorial altar was set up at a funeral home in Seoul, where Son Na-eun and her sister have been receiving condolences.
“It is true that Son Na-eun’s mother passed away today.” — J-Wide Company representative to OSEN
The news arrived less than three months after the conclusion of “Agent Kim Reactivated,” the SBS drama that marked a major career high for Son Na-eun. The show ended its run in July 2026.
A Bond She Called the Closest Friendship
Son Na-eun has spoken openly about her relationship with her mother in past interviews and variety shows. During an appearance on MBC’s “Radio Star,” she described her mother as her best friend and admitted to being a “mama’s girl.”
“I tell my mom everything. You could call me a ‘mama’s girl’—she’s my closest friend.” — Son Na-eun on MBC’s “Radio Star”
The two shared more than a family bond. Son Na-eun is a well-known fan of the Lotte Giants, a professional baseball team in the KBO League. She has credited her mother for that fandom. At a ceremonial first pitch at Busan’s Sajik Baseball Stadium in 2018, she explained how the shared love for the team began.
“My mother is also a huge Lotte Giants fan. We started watching games together and grew to love the team.” — Son Na-eun at the 2018 first pitch event
Social media posts over the years showed the pair attending games, traveling, and spending ordinary days together. Those moments have been widely shared again by fans and news outlets in the days since her mother’s passing.
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The Drama That Raised Her Profile This Year
“Agent Kim Reactivated” aired on SBS from June to July 2026 and became one of the year’s most-watched Korean dramas. The series starred So Ji-sub as a former agent pulled back into action, with Son Na-eun playing Jung Sang-ah, a bank deputy who is secretly a special mission agent. Her character did not appear in the original webtoon, which gave her room to build the role from scratch.
The drama opened with a 9.5% viewership rating and crossed 20% by its fourth episode. It concluded with a national rating of 23.0% according to Nielsen Korea, with some reports placing the peak at 23.1%. Son Na-eun received praise for her performance, which included action scenes and a distinct visual transformation for the role.
From Apink to Acting
Son Na-eun debuted with Apink in 2011 and became one of the group’s most recognizable members during hits like “NoNoNo,” “Mr. Chu,” and “Luv.” She left the group in 2022 to focus on acting. Her drama credits include “The Second Twenty,” “Cinderella and the Four Knights,” “Ghost Doctor,” “The Agency,” and “Family X Melodo.”
A new project had been announced before her mother’s passing. Son Na-eun was set to appear in the MBC drama “Wildflowers Bloom in the Palace” (translated title), which was expected to air in 2027. Whether the production schedule will be adjusted has not been confirmed by the network or her agency.
Also Read: SBS Opens Door for ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’ Season 2 After Ratings Explode Past 20%
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