On March 20, 2025, the Garoseoro Research Institute publicly addressed Kim Soo-hyun’s legal claims against their channel. They raised questions about whether the actor’s agency had inadvertently validated the existence of a contentious recording that purportedly shows him at the residence of the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
To provide context, Kim Sae-ron tragically passed away on the same day as Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday in February of this year. Following her death, her family made serious allegations, suggesting that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with her when she was a minor. Further accusations from Sae-ron’s family claim that he had pressured her to repay approximately 700 million KRW that he lent her.
In response, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency has dismissed the evidence—including photos and text messages—linking him to the underaged Sae-ron. However, the agency has decided to initiate legal proceedings against Garoseoro, complicating the ongoing situation.
Garoseoro has noted discrepancies in Kim Soo-hyun’s stance, highlighting that the actor initially refuted claims regarding an image of him but later pursued legal action, bringing his credibility into question. According to reports from Allkpop, the channel remarked:
“At first, they denied that the photo was of Kim Soo Hyun, claiming it was just the back of a person. But now that they are filing a complaint, are they admitting it’s actually his photo? It’s ridiculous.”
Adding to the controversy, Garoseoro disclosed that Kim Sae-ron’s former manager, Kwak Tae-young, had leaked a private audio recording of the late actress. Accompanying this revelation was a handwritten letter from Sae-ron’s mother, articulating her distress and grievances regarding the ongoing events.
Garoseoro had intended to hold a press conference with Kim Sae-ron’s family to clarify the situation surrounding the leaked audio; however, plans were scrapped due to the mother’s declining health. The institute has condemned Kwak Tae-young for breaching the actress’s privacy by recording and disseminating the audio.
Furthermore, they have issued a warning to journalist Lee Jin-ho, indicating potential legal ramifications for any defamatory statements regarding the late actress. Sae-ron’s family has criticized Jin-ho for his extensive coverage of her DUI incident, suggesting it adversely impacted her mental well-being.
Developments in Kim Sae-ron’s Case and Ongoing Investigations
Recent reports indicate that Kim Sae-ron’s family is currently residing modestly, alongside the pet dog she loved. Their struggles are compounded by the mother’s poor health and mobility challenges. They have preserved her artistic works, which she shared online during the airing of Kim Soo-hyun’s drama, Queen of Tears, as these pieces reflect her emotional battles.
Garoseoro emphasized that the unauthorized release of the audio recording has inflicted further emotional distress on Kim Sae-ron’s family. They have called upon authorities to pursue accountability against those responsible for these actions.
It was revealed that even after Kim Sae-ron’s contract with Gold Medalist ended, Kwak Tae-young continued to act as her manager while purportedly starting his own agency. However, he allegedly leaked sensitive information to Lee Jin-ho. Controversially, Lee claimed on the day of Sae-ron’s passing that he had been invited to assist in her comeback.
Amidst these events, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has filed legal actions not only against Garoseoro but also against the family of Kim Sae-ron for allegedly distributing a private photograph of their actor.
Despite their initial hesitation, Kim Sae-ron’s family has indicated that they can no longer overlook the gravity of the situation. They are prepared to take robust action should any further false allegations arise, emphasizing the need to safeguard Kim Soo-hyun’s reputation.