On April 19, a Twitter user highlighted an intriguing advertisement featuring Kim Soo-hyun, placed by CHOEAEDOL Celeb at a Hongdae Subway Station exit. This post caught the attention of numerous netizens, many of whom expressed dissatisfaction due to the actor’s ongoing dating controversy involving the late Kim Sae-ron.
Critics pointed out that CHOEAEDOL Celeb’s selection process relies on public voting, leading to widespread disapproval of those who participated in the voting for Kim Soo-hyun amidst serious allegations. The choice of Kim as a candidate underlines the ongoing tensions surrounding the controversy.
Conversely, many devoted fans defended the actor, arguing that his extensive popularity and renown warranted his inclusion as a candidate. They emphasized that Kim Soo-hyun’s influence extends beyond Korea to international audiences, reinforcing his eligibility for the CHOEAEDOL Celeb advertisement.
“I thought it was decided by voting…. Isn’t it crazy to put that as a candidate?”
“Isn’t this something you put up for a vote?”said a fan on X.
“Aren’t these things up for a vote? If the votes were received before the news came out… I can understand. But you should have reviewed it before uploading it and put it in 2nd place or something,”added another fan.
Supporters of Kim Soo-hyun defended him against the backlash stemming from the recent advertisement. Many highlighted his status as a global superstar, which attributes significance to his continued visibility in media.
“Because he is not just a star but a superstar. Wherever you go he will follow,”stated a fan.
“because he’s an international star (:”added an X user.
“Because he’s a global and an international star, even if you relocate to another country, you will see his pics everywhere,”said a netizen.
Understanding the Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron Dating Controversy
On March 11, the Garo Sero Research Institute released a YouTube report alleging a six-year relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, dating back to 2015. According to the claims, the relationship began when Sae-ron was just 15 years old and Kim Soo-hyun was 27.
This revelation sparked serious allegations of grooming against the actor. The report further detailed that Kim Sae-ron had been represented by Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, since its inception in 2019, which allegedly provided financial assistance during her DUI case in 2022, amounting to 700 million KRW.
After leaving the agency, Kim Sae-ron reportedly pledged to repay her debts gradually. However, upon receiving a formal repayment notice in 2024 from Gold Medalist, she sought assistance from Kim Soo-hyun but allegedly received no response.
Tragically, the Garo Sero Research Institute speculated that the actress may have taken her own life on Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday, February 16, 2025, due to financial stress. In response to the mounting claims, Gold Medalist issued a statement acknowledging the relationship but clarified that it began only after Kim Sae-ron turned 18, denying any wrongdoing involving financial disputes related to the actress.
Despite the agency’s remarks, Garo Sero has consistently presented evidence, including images and video footage, to support their narrative of the relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron.