Kim Soo-hyun Faces Allegations Amid Ongoing Controversy
South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun is currently under scrutiny as allegations of past misconduct and power abuse come to light, further complicating the controversy surrounding his purported relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. A former staff member from his 2014 Asia Tour in Thailand has alleged that the actor exhibited inappropriate behavior and exploited his authority during the event.
Claims from Former Staff Member
As reported by the Thai daily Khaosod Online, the individual claimed that during the “2014 Asia Tour 1st Memories in Thailand,”Kim Soo-hyun disrupted critical event preparations. He allegedly insisted that the venue be vacated late into the night for a personal badminton session, forcing staff members to work extended hours without breaks.
Social Media Discourse
A viral TikTok post by user @para_lim has reignited conversations regarding Kim Soo-hyun’s off-screen persona, as various accounts start to question his behavior behind the scenes. One contributor, who claims to have worked on the Thailand event crew, recounted similar experiences regarding the actor’s insistence on transforming the venue for his personal use.
The allegations continued with mentions that after playing badminton, the staff were forced to restore the venue setup for the subsequent day’s event. Supporting these allegations, an archived fan post from 2014 noted:
“Kim Soo-hyun said that the meeting venue today was used for badminton yesterday.”
Repeated Allegations of Staff Mistreatment
Further claims indicate that Kim Soo-hyun repeatedly asked for the venue to be cleared for his badminton games, significantly affecting the staff who were left without adequate rest. In a particularly stressful instance, he criticized the setup, demanding immediate corrections to the badminton net:
“The net isn’t tight. I can’t play. Restring it!”
Additionally, another user on X, @Kwang4Siwan, allegedly shared video evidence of staff laboring late into the night, unable to leave until Kim Soo-hyun concluded his game.
Revelations from an Acting Instructor
The TikTok video that fueled the discourse featured anecdotes from the creator’s acting teacher, who alleged that Kim Soo-hyun’s true nature starkly contrasts with the polished image he presents to fans. Reports claim that the actor frequently used offensive language, including severe insults involving family members. Tensions with actress Jeon Ji-hyun were also mentioned, particularly concerning an incident related to event logistics during the filming of My Love from the Star (2013-2014).
Compounding Controversies
These allegations arise amidst ongoing discussions regarding Kim Soo-hyun’s alleged romantic involvement with Kim Sae-ron. Recently, the late actress’s aunt disclosed on a YouTube channel that the two had reportedly dated for six years, beginning when Kim Sae-ron was just 15 and Kim Soo-hyun was 27.
Moreover, allegations surfaced that Kim Soo-hyun and the agency he co-owned, Gold Medalist, pursued legal action against Kim Sae-ron, demanding a substantial sum of 700 million KRW (approximately $520,000) for expenses incurred after her DUI incident in 2022. Claims further suggest the agency’s initial demand was inflated to a staggering 20 billion KRW, raising concerns about potential exploitation of the actress during her vulnerable moments.
Potential Impact on Kim Soo-hyun’s Career
As these allegations and rumors continue to proliferate, Kim Soo-hyun’s career is hanging in the balance, including the fate of his upcoming drama, Knock-Off, which was slated for release in April 2025. The escalating public backlash poses a critical challenge for the actor as he navigates this turbulent period.