Controversy Surrounds Kim Soo-hyun’s Film *Real* Following Directorial Change
On March 31, 2025, a claim surfaced from a supposed former crew member regarding significant changes to Kim Soo-hyun’s 2017 film, *Real*. According to this individual, the movie underwent a notable transformation when Lee Sarang, Kim Soo-hyun’s cousin, succeeded the original director, Lee Jung-sub. These allegations were brought to light on the Instiz platform.
Lee Sarang, a co-founder of Gold Medalist alongside Kim Soo-hyun, allegedly introduced explicit scenes that were not included in the original script after taking control of the film’s direction. Reports from the entertainment source Dramabeans suggested that this directorial transition contributed to delays in the film’s release, prompting reactions from fans and industry insiders alike.
The film was originally helmed by Lee Jung-sub, celebrated for projects such as *Romantic Island* and *Rainbow Eyes*. Following his departure, Lee Sarang’s appointment raised eyebrows, particularly concerning the artistic direction of the film. According to the alleged former crew member, who provided insight into the behind-the-scenes changes, explicit content featuring Han Ji-eun and the late actress Sulli was added under Sarang’s direction, which diverged significantly from the initial vision.
“There were originally no bed scenes, and the special appearances of the two female celebrities weren’t part of the script. The movie wasn’t at the level to be criticized as a bad movie. I almost joined the production team as a scripter (they show the full scenario to scripters).”
This former staff member highlighted that the entire script was “re-arranged”after Lee Jung-sub’s exit. Furthermore, they remarked on the negative impacts of these changes, stating:
“The original director wrote the script, but Kim Soo-hyun’s cousin re-arranged it. I didn’t work for the movie, but I heard from acquaintances that Lee Jung-sub did film parts of the movie, but after Lee Sarang, who knows nothing about film, took over, he added extra scenes and ruined so many parts of the movie.”
Connections to Sulli and Kim Sae-ron’s Tragic Stories
The controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun’s *Real* has revived discussions around the late singer-actress Sulli, who starred alongside him in this project, especially in relation to the actor’s alleged past with another actress, Kim Sae-ron. On the same date, Kim Soo-hyun confronted allegations claiming he dated Kim Sae-ron while she was still underage. During a press conference, he decisively stated that their relationship commenced only after she reached adulthood.
With renewed focus on *Real*, the film, known for its provocative content, received mixed reviews upon release in 2017. Noteworthy for marking Sulli’s significant film role after departing from the group f(x), the movie stirred both admiration and disapproval. Critics debated its explicit nature, leading to public backlash against Sulli for her nude scenes, which reportedly contributed to her emotional distress. Tragically, she died by suicide in October 2019.
In a parallel circumstance, actress Kim Sae-ron also tragically took her life on February 16, 2025. Accusations emerged alleging that Kim Soo-hyun was involved with her when she was just 15 years old, deepening the scrutiny surrounding him as further revelation unfolded.
In response to the ongoing scrutiny, Sulli’s brother, Choi Geon-hee, took to Instagram on March 30, 2025, to voice his frustrations and seek accountability regarding his sister’s involvement in *Real*.
“Was it fun tattling to Mom instead of talking to me, you weak man XX? So after 48 hours, what you came up with was calling our mom to shut me up? What a piece of XX, certified.”
Choi further expressed discontent with the format of Kim Soo-hyun’s press conference, criticizing the lack of an interactive Q&A session and vowing to hold a more transparent discussion.
“Calling in dozens of reporters but saying there’ll be no Q&A—This is supposed to be a press conference? Let me become a celebrity too. If nothing else, I think I’d hold a better press conference than you.”
Geon-hee’s demands have called for an explanation from both Kim Soo-hyun and Lee Sarang regarding the decision to include explicit scenes in *Real*, asserting that Sulli was pressured into performing without utilizing a body double.
During the emotionally charged press conference on March 31, 2025, Kim Soo-hyun admitted to a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, which occurred approximately five years prior and lasted for about a year, reiterating that she was an adult at the time of their involvement. He expressed considerable remorse regarding the entire situation, owning up to his inability to confront these allegations sooner, labeling himself as a “coward.”