An Overview of the Recent Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron Dating Controversy
The Garosero Research Institute hosted a YouTube livestream on March 14, shedding light on the escalating dating controversy involving South Korean actors Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron. A key revelation from their report was the persistent communication from Kim Soo-hyun’s legal team with Kim Sae-ron’s father shortly after the allegations surfaced online.
Despite explicit requests from Kim Sae-ron’s family to cease contact, the outreach reportedly continued, raising ethical concerns.
Background of the Allegations
On March 11, the Garosero Research Institute revealed significant details about the pair’s purported six-year relationship, which sparked allegations of potential grooming, given that Kim Soo-hyun was 27 while Kim Sae-ron was just 15 when they began dating. This disparity in age has led to serious discussions regarding consent and legal implications.
Furthermore, the Institute claimed that Kim Soo-hyun was implicated in the tragic death of Kim Sae-ron on February 16, 2025, attributing her distress to financial pressures linked to the repayment demands from Gold Medalist, the agency founded by Soo-hyun. These allegations suggested that the agency pressured her regarding the reimbursement of 700 million KRW (approximately $600,000) related to her DUI case from 2022.
Key Details from the Garosero Research Institute’s Findings
In the follow-up livestream on March 14, Garosero Research Institute elaborated on the intricate dynamics between the two actors. It was reported that their romantic involvement commenced in 2015, with Kim Sae-ron joining Gold Medalist in 2019 after exiting YG Entertainment. However, the relationship reportedly deteriorated following her DUI scandal in 2022.
According to the YouTube report, Gold Medalist had allegedly provided support during this tumultuous period, including covering her compensation fees. Yet, the relationship came to an end as she left the agency post-contract expiration.
Despite an agreement to reimburse the financial assistance over time, tensions escalated when Gold Medalist demanded payment in 2024. With limited financial resources, Kim Sae-ron reportedly attempted to communicate with Kim Soo-hyun for clarity but received no response.
The report proposed that Kim Sae-ron’s passing on Soo-hyun’s birthday was a result of overwhelming financial stress. In response, Gold Medalist denied any immediate repayment pressure and clarified that Kim Soo-hyun was not solely responsible for her debts.
Demands for Justice and Transparency
The livestream further unveiled the family’s call for accountability, including:
- An acknowledgment from Kim Soo-hyun regarding his relationship with Kim Sae-ron during her minority, accompanied by a public apology.
- A formal statement from Gold Medalist addressing past denials of their relationship.
- Recognition of Kim Sae-ron’s role as a founding member of Gold Medalist and an apology for her contributions.
- A formal retraction of the repayment demand for the 700 million KRW owed to her.
To date, both Gold Medalist and Kim Soo-hyun have not issued statements in response to these recent developments.