On the afternoon of March 31, actor Kim Soo-hyun delivered a heartfelt address to the public, marking his first public statement regarding the recent controversies surrounding late actress Kim Sae-ron. Following Kim Soo-hyun’s comments, Kim Sae-ron’s family took significant action by initiating a petition aimed at reforming laws to better protect minors from the perils of statutory sexual assault.
Currently, South Korean legislation offers protection to minors only between the ages of 13 to 16 against sexual offenses. The family’s petition seeks to amend this law, proposing to increase the upper age limit from 16 to 19 while also suggesting more stringent penalties for offenders.
In a video posted on the Garo Sero Research Institute’s channel on March 31, the family shared the link to their petition, titled “Petition for Raising the Age and Strengthening Penalties for Statutory R*pe Involving Minors,” commonly referred to as the ‘Kim Soo-hyun Prevention Law’ on the National Consent Petition platform.
Under the existing law, Kim Soo-hyun cannot be legally charged in connection with the alleged sexual abuses against Kim Sae-ron. Though the age of consent in South Korea is established at 18, current laws concerning sexual crimes only safeguard minors aged 13 to 16.
Kim Soo-hyun’s Statements at the Press Conference
During a press conference held on March 31 at the Stanford Hotel, the famed actor from My Love From The Star addressed the allegations that emerged following the tragic news of Kim Sae-ron’s passing.
The event stretched for approximately 40 minutes, during which Kim Soo-hyun expressed remorse over the circumstances leading to the allegations, firmly denying any romantic involvement with the actress while she was still a minor.
“I’ll talk about the part you’re most curious about. I did not date the deceased when she was a minor. And it is also not true that the deceased made a tragic choice because of me turning away or because my agency pressured her about her debt,”he stated.
“Aside from the fact that we were both actors, we were just ordinary lovers like everyone else. We shared positive feelings for each other, but as time passed, we gradually parted ways. Following our breakup, our communication became infrequent, as is common among couples.”
Moreover, Kim Soo-hyun provided supporting evidence to validate his statements and elaborated on how the allegations have inflicted psychological distress on him and those in his close circle.
“I had so much to protect as its lead actor. What would have happened if I had admitted to a year-long relationship? What would happen to the actors, the staff who were working overnight and the production team who had everything staked on that project?”
In response to the unfolding situation, his attorney, Kim Jung-bok of LKBN Partners, announced a defamation lawsuit seeking 12 million KRW against Kim Sae-ron’s family, the Garo Sero Institute, and an anonymous individual referred to as “Aunt.”
A formal criminal complaint has been registered with the Gangnam Police Station, accusing the aforementioned parties of disseminating false information via online platforms.
This press conference occurred a month after Kim Sae-ron’s family directed accusations against Kim Soo-hyun. Kim Sae-ron, also known for her performances in The Man from Nowhere, reportedly took her own life in February 2025, a tragic event that was subsequently classified as suicide by law enforcement.
Despite the official ruling, speculation surrounding her death continues to swirl, with the details of her past and personal relationships, particularly with Kim Soo-hyun, increasingly scrutinized. Allegations are further substantiated by Kim Sae-ron’s family and the Garo Sero Institute, who claim to possess various forms of evidence, including text messages, images, video footage, and letters relevant to their case against Kim Soo-hyun.