On March 29, 2025, Sports Chosun reported that fans of actor Kim Soo-hyun are seeking clarity regarding allegations surrounding his personal life. The controversy stems from claims that he was involved with late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was still a minor, leading to public outcry and demands for accountability.
A lengthy statement was posted by fans on the DC Inside Kim Soo-hyun Gallery, highlighting the escalating nature of the situation and the necessity for the actor to provide a clear explanation. The message expressed concern that ambiguity surrounding the issue could cause further complications.
The statement elaborated on how various reports have detailed the specifics of the alleged relationship, resulting in numerous personal and public issues for Kim Soo-hyun. Fans pointed to disclosures, including revealing Kakao Talk messages and photographs, which contradicted the actor’s earlier accounts and exacerbated public confusion.
Furthermore, they emphasized that Kim Soo-hyun, as a public figure, has responsibilities that extend beyond mere entertainment industry drama. They conveyed their desire for the actor to address the situation directly, stating that his past contributions to cinema had been comforting and meaningful to audiences.
In concluding their statement, fans urged:
“We earnestly request that actor Kim Soo-hyun personally convey the truth in his own voice through a press conference or other means and provide a sincere explanation regarding the suspicions raised so far.”(As translated by Google)
Insights into the Dating Controversy Surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and Late Actress Kim Sae-ron
The controversy began to escalate on March 10, 2025, when the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute published a video featuring allegations from Kim Sae-ron’s aunt. She claimed that Kim Soo-hyun had a romantic relationship with Sae-ron when she was merely 15 years old and he was 27.
Within the same video, it was alleged that Kim Sae-ron played a vital role in helping Soo-hyun establish his management agency, GOLD MEDALIST, offering her services without pay, which included direction and guidance for emerging talents. Their relationship reportedly ended in 2022 following a DUI incident involving Kim Sae-ron.
According to her aunt, upon terminating her contract with GOLD MEDALIST in 2024, Kim Sae-ron received a demand for repayment of funds related to her DUI, despite her attempts to communicate with Soo-hyun yielding no response. In an effort to gain his attention, she took to social media to post a photograph of them together.
Rather than addressing her allegations, Kim Soo-hyun and his agency issued a statement that apparently painted her in an unfavorable light. Initially, GOLD MEDALIST denied all allegations presented in the video, only to later confirm that the pair had indeed dated between 2019 and 2020, after Kim Sae-ron reached the age of majority.
On March 17, 2025, a representative for the bereaved family of Kim Sae-ron shared in a press conference that GOLD MEDALIST had dispatched a second set of legal documents to Sae-ron. These documents reportedly warned her regarding the debt connected to her DUI and forbade her from any contact with Kim Soo-hyun.
The family argued that such intimidation contributed to Sae-ron’s stress, culminating in her tragic passing. In contrast, GOLD MEDALIST claimed that the documents aimed solely to postpone repayment.
On March 27, 2025, the family, represented by lawyer Bu Ji-seok, held another press conference. They revealed additional evidence, including text messages that purportedly demonstrated Kim Soo-hyun’s relationship with the actress while she was underage.
As the controversy continues to unfold, brands such as Prada, Dinto, Tous les Jours, and Jo Malone London have severed their contracts with Kim Soo-hyun, signaling the significant impact of the ongoing scandal.