On March 10, 2025, South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun found himself at the center of a media storm when the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute broadcast a live stream, alleging he had an inappropriate relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. This revelation provoked a flurry of discussion and shock in the entertainment industry.
Despite stern legal threats from Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, the broadcast continued, including claims purportedly supported by Kim Sae-ron’s family. The serious allegations range from the suggestion of an underage relationship to financial disputes and communication exchanges between the two stars, creating a complex narrative following Kim Sae-ron’s untimely passing in February 2025.
Chronology of Allegations: Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron
The turmoil surrounding these allegations has escalated, particularly after Dispatch corroborated claims of a relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, while Gold Medalist steadfastly denied the allegations. Below is a timeline highlighting key events spurring the controversy:
1) Claims of an underage relationship (2015-2021)
The controversy traces back to claims made by Kim Sae-ron’s family that her relationship with Kim Soo-hyun began on November 19, 2015. At that time, Kim Sae-ron, born on July 31, 2000, was only 15 years old, while Kim Soo-hyun, born on February 16, 1988, was 27. As she was engaged in her final year of middle school, Kim Soo-hyun had already completed his formal education in Theater and Film at Chung Ang University.
Throughout the actor’s military service, commencing in 2017, Kim Sae-ron remained in high school. In a significant career move, she transferred from YG Entertainment to Gold Medalist in 2019, aligning with the company co-owned by Kim Soo-hyun. This prompted her aunt to assert that Kim Sae-ron actively contributed to the agency’s growth, mentoring new talent.
The alleged six-year relationship ended on July 7, 2021. Nevertheless, during the airing of Kim Soo-hyun’s drama Queen of Tears in 2024, Kim Sae-ron shared an intimate selfie with him on her Instagram story, which led to a swift denial from his agency regarding any connection.
2) Kim Sae-ron’s death and Kim Soo-hyun’s reaction (February 2025)
Keenly aware of the timing, Kim Sae-ron died on February 16, 2025—coincidentally, Kim Soo-hyun’s 37th birthday. His subsequent absence from her funeral and lack of public mourning raised eyebrows and triggered extensive backlash, especially considering the allegations of their lengthy relationship.
3) Unveiling of private correspondences (March 10, 2025)
On the same day as the live stream, Garo Sero Institute introduced purportedly new evidence: a photo of Kim Soo-hyun kissing Kim Sae-ron on the cheek and messages allegedly sent by her in 2024. These messages depicted her distress over her financial situation:
“Oppa, it’s me, Sae-ron. I received a certified debt notice… Please, help me. Please give me more time.”
4) Garo Sero Institute’s explosive claims (March 10, 2025)
During this pivotal broadcast, Kim Sae-ron’s aunt accused Kim Soo-hyun of exacerbating her niece’s struggles. The allegations included a narrative asserting that Gold Medalist settled a debt of 700 million KRW (approximately $482,000) following a DUI incident involving Kim Sae-ron in 2022. However, tensions escalated after her contract with the agency expired, leading to a lawsuit demanding total repayment.
Garo Sero Institute aired a recorded conversation with Kim Sae-ron’s aunt, who claimed that Gold Medalist had originally demanded a staggering 20 billion KRW (around $13.8 million) from the late actress:
“When an artist faces difficulties, it is the agency’s responsibility to find solutions… But instead, Gold Medalist imposed an extreme financial penalty.”
Compounding the situation, Garo Sero Institute alleged that while Kim Sae-ron struggled with her debt, Kim Soo-hyun purchased a luxury mansion valued at 8.8 billion KRW (approximately $6.1 million). Furthermore, his total real estate holdings were reported to be around 30 billion KRW (almost $20.7 million).
5) Gold Medalist’s legal response (March 11, 2025)
In response to the mounting allegations, Gold Medalist categorically denied all claims, branding them as malicious fabrications. The agency announced plans for legal action against the Garo Sero Institute for disseminating false information. In their March 11 statement, they asserted:
“These malicious accusations against Kim Soo-hyun are completely untrue and unacceptable. We are pursuing the strongest possible legal action.”
6) Leaked messages and Kim Sae-ron’s criticisms (March 11, 2025)
Following Gold Medalist’s statement, Garo Sero Institute revealed messages from Kim Sae-ron criticizing Gold Medalist for denying awareness of her relationship with Kim Soo-hyun:
“Gold Medalist is claiming they ‘knew nothing’… They are truly a bunch of b*****.”
In these exchanges, she discussed drafting an unreleased statement attempting to clarify their relationship and expressed grievances about her management contract:
“When the renewal period approached, I attempted to contact both Gold Medalist and Kim Soo-hyun… I received a formal notice with threatening undertones.”
7) Handwritten correspondence and Dispatch’s confirmation (March 12, 2025)
On March 12, Garo Sero Institute released handwritten letters reportedly penned by Kim Soo-hyun to Kim Sae-ron during his military service, culminating in the documentation with affectionate greetings:
“From Private Kim, who is far away.”
Allegedly, he expressed his feelings with, “Sae-ron, I love you.” Compounding this, the Korean media outlet Dispatch corroborated the relationship claims, suggesting that their alleged affair was well-known within the industry and supporting the financial allegations raised by Kim Sae-ron’s family.
As this fluid narrative evolves, further purported revelations are anticipated from Garo Sero Institute. This ongoing case has polarized public opinion, fueling significant discourse over the truth of these explosive allegations.