Choi Hyun-wook Entangled in Kim Sae-ron Controversy
Choi Hyun-wook, an actor known for his role in “Twinkling Watermelon,”recently found himself in the spotlight due to allegations linking him to the controversial drunk-driving incident involving the late Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun. On March 12, a Chinese blogger made claims that Choi was a passenger in Kim Sae-ron’s vehicle during the fateful night of her accident.
The allegations suggest that GOLDMEDALIST, Choi’s agency, purposely obscured his involvement to safeguard his burgeoning career, allegedly prioritizing the actor’s public image over full disclosure regarding the incident. According to the blogger, this effort resulted in Kim Sae-ron facing the legal consequences alone, thereby sparking a wave of speculation online.
Moreover, the blogger implied that Choi’s absence from Kim Sae-ron’s funeral could indicate a rift between the two, or at least an attempt by him to detach from her legacy.
Debunking Rumors: Evidence Emerges
Despite the ongoing chatter, online users pointed out a report from Bridge Economy, dated April 12, 2023, which confirmed that a different individual—specifically a 21-year-old woman—was seated in Kim Sae-ron’s car during the accident. This finding fundamentally contradicts the recent accusations linking Choi to the incident.
Subsequently, this unnamed passenger was fined 5 million won for aiding and abetting Kim Sae-ron’s drunk-driving. A ruling by Judge Lee Hwan-ki from the Seoul Central District Court further solidifies Choi’s innocence in this matter.
Additionally, coverage from Ilgan Sports highlighted that Choi did indeed attend Kim Sae-ron’s memorial service on February 12, 2025, paying his respects quietly while reframing from making public comments, which contradicts the original blogger’s claims of his absence.
Fan Backlash and Defense of Choi Hyun-wook
As the scrutiny intensified, Choi Hyun-wook’s fans defended him against the allegations, feeling he was unfairly targeted as a “scapegoat”due to his association with GOLDMEDALIST. They expressed their discontent over the agency’s silence, arguing that Choi, who recently secured a leading role in the drama “Dearest Nemesis,”should not be entangled in a scandal unrelated to him.
Supporters even reminisced about Choi and Kim Sae-ron’s friendship, recalling a moment from 2022 when the actress sent a coffee truck to encourage him during filming, with a heartfelt message emblazoned on the truck’s banner.
“A woman who doesn’t betray my expectations, Kim Sae Ron Jjang,”Choi captioned when he shared a photo of the coffee truck on Instagram.
New Allegations and Speculations Surface
The discourse surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron escalated further on March 10, 2025, when Kim Sae-ron’s aunt made accusations against Kim Soo-hyun, alleging his involvement in the actress’s struggles, which contributed to her tragic passing on February 16, 2025. During an appearance on the YouTube channel Garo Sero, the family discussed unpleasant past relationships and financial disputes that they claim played a role in her demise.
Recently, speculation has emerged regarding other agency controversies that concern GOLDMEDALIST. An X user, @LoveBunnyQ, resurrected discussions about the use of actress Seo Yea-ji as a scapegoat during her own controversy, implying that the agency possibly crafted narratives to distract from bigger issues, including who truly was linked to Kim Sae-ron during the DUI incident.
The narrative posits that an unnamed A-list actor was present during Kim Sae-ron’s incident, and with the recent developments, it appears that the strategy has now shifted blame to Choi Hyun-wook, who, as of 2022, was not an established figure in the industry.
Despite the lack of substantiated evidence tying him to the DUI case, the claims have sparked a considerable amount of discussion among netizens, highlighting the complexities of celebrity accountability and agency transparency.