In reaction to growing concerns from the public, veteran actress Kim Bu-seon took to her YouTube channel to voice criticism regarding society’s treatment of celebrities, with a specific focus on actor Kim Soo-hyun. The video, provokingly titled “Celebrities’ human rights are less protected than serial killers!!!”, has sparked widespread discussion since its release.
According to a report by Chosun Sports on March 20, 2025, Kim Bu-seon expressed her dismay over the harsh backlash Kim Soo-hyun has faced. She contended that the basic human rights of celebrities often receive less protection compared to those of serious offenders and characterized the public’s outcry as a disproportionate response.
During her video, she eloquently stated,
“That’s so cowardly. Can’t men and women date? Isn’t this an era where freedom of expression is abundant? Celebrities’ human rights are not even as bad as those of serial killers. […] But now, because they need that damn witch hunt, they’re trying to witch-hunt the young actor Kim Soo-hyun.”
Kim Bu-seon also recounted the tragic circumstances surrounding the late Kim Sae-ron, who lost her career after a DUI incident. She noted the overwhelming tide of malicious comments that erupted online following Kim Sae-ron’s death, which occurred in February 2025.
Deeply troubled by the societal response, Kim Bu-seon remarked on the nature of public discourse, recalling her shock at the comments targeting Kim Sae-ron even after her passing:
“More than 80% of the comments were malicious. It was like a festival atmosphere. I thought, what a sick society. I wondered if people could be this cruel in the face of human death. Is that actress the only one who drives drunk? And that actress paid a sufficient social price for drunk driving. She didn’t even get to work? But does she have to endure pain and criticism even after she passes away?”
Legal Tensions: Kim Soo-hyun’s Agency Takes Action Against Garosero
The controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun intensified following the release of a video by the Garosero Research Institute on March 10, 2025. In this video, Kim Sae-ron’s aunt alleged that she and Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship that began when she was just 15 and he was 27.
The video also suggested that Kim Sae-ron was under severe financial strain from Gold Medalist, which purportedly contributed to her struggles leading up to her tragic death. On February 16, 2025, Kim Sae-ron was found deceased in her Seoul apartment; authorities ruled it a potential suicide, finding no note left behind.
The situation escalated further when Kim Sae-ron’s family held a press conference with Garosero on March 17, 2025, alleging that Gold Medalist had pressured her to repay a hefty debt of 700 million won (approximately $478,298) due to repercussions from her DUI incident in 2022.
In response to these claims, Gold Medalist issued a strong denial, stating that the accusations were not only defamatory toward Kim Soo-hyun but also disrespectful to the memory of the late actress. They announced plans to seek the most rigorous legal recourse against those spreading false narratives.
As of March 20, 2025, Gulf News reported that Gold Medalist is moving forward with criminal lawsuits against Garosero for disseminating these unfounded rumors. They stated:
“Posting the photograph on a YouTube channel constitutes a clear criminal act, and Hoverlab has stated that they will continue to release similar photos. Given these circumstances, Gold Medalist has no choice but to take legal action.”
The ongoing controversy has taken a significant toll on Kim Soo-hyun’s career, leading to the termination of numerous brand endorsement contracts with companies such as PRADA, China CUCKOO, Dinto, Jo Malone London, and HomePlus. Reports also indicate that Eider has paused all advertising and promotional activities featuring him.
For more details, visit the source: Source&Images.