On April 7, 2025, the South Korean television series Queen of Tears, featuring acclaimed actors Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won, ignited widespread discussions when it was notably absent from the nominees’ list for the prestigious 61st Baeksang Arts Awards. Fans and industry commentators alike have begun to speculate whether a recent controversy involving lead actor Kim Soo-hyun could have influenced this unexpected oversight.
When it originally aired, Queen of Tears achieved remarkable success, reaching a peak viewership of 24.9%. This milestone not only made it a standout hit for tvN dramas but left many anticipating its triumph during the current awards season. The drama’s omission from the nominations has raised questions about the potential impact of external factors in the selection process for these esteemed awards.
In a tragic development that occurred in February 2025, actress Kim Sae-ron was confirmed to have taken her own life. Following this heartbreaking news, allegations emerged suggesting that Kim Soo-hyun may have been romantically involved with her during her youth. Despite the actor’s emphatic denial of the majority of these claims, the controversy has overshadowed his work, including the highly publicized Netflix series.
While acknowledging a past relationship with Kim Sae-ron, Kim Soo-hyun clarified that it began when she was an adult. His press conference statements aimed to refute dating allegations, however, the fallout resulted in several brands, such as Prada, reevaluating their partnerships with him.
The Baeksang Arts Awards maintain a rigorous selection process, considering productions released between April 1 of the previous year and March 31, 2025. Given that Queen of Tears premiered on March 9 and concluded in April 2024, some argue that the timing may have played a role in its omission from this year’s nominations.
While the awards committee has yet to issue an official comment regarding their decision-making criteria, the overlap of the drama’s air dates and the ongoing scandal surrounding its lead actor has fueled speculation about the implications for the selection process.
The Fallout from Kim Soo-hyun’s Alleged Relationship with Kim Sae-ron
Tragic circumstances unfolded in February 2025 when actress Kim Sae-ron was discovered deceased, with her death categorized as a suspected suicide. In the aftermath, claims surfaced asserting that she and Kim Soo-hyun had a romantic relationship while she was underage, a situation that has led to significant controversy.
The allegations stemmed from materials released by Kim Sae-ron’s family and content shared by the YouTube channel Garosero, which suggested a relationship beginning when she was just 15 years old. Kim Soo-hyun, however, publicly denied any inappropriate relations during her minor years at a press conference on March 31, 2025. He confirmed that their relationship had commenced only in 2019, when she had reached the age of consent.
In addition, Kim Soo-hyun has distanced himself from any insinuation linking him to Kim Sae-ron’s tragic death. Notably, she passed away on February 16, 2025, coinciding with the actor’s birthday, at the age of 24.
The ramifications of this scandal have been severe for Kim Soo-hyun’s career, resulting in high-profile brand partnerships being severed. Prestigious companies such as Prada, DINTO, Jo Malone London, and CUCKOO opted to cut ties in light of the controversy.
Similarly, Esteé Lauder, Eider, and Homeplus have suspended their promotional activities involving the actor, while Jeju Airlines withdrew advertisements featuring him.
In response to the growing scandal, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has filed a criminal complaint against individuals responsible for disseminating alleged private photos and false information. They have also initiated legal action against Kim Sae-ron’s family and the CEO of Garosero, among others, alleging violations regarding the distribution of unauthorized content.
The agency seeks approximately 12 billion KRW (around $8.2 million) in damages. Furthermore, the controversy has reportedly stalled the production of the Disney+ series Knock Off, starring Kim Soo-hyun and Jo Bo-ah, with potential penalties for contract breakage reaching up to $123 million if the platform opts to halt production entirely.