On March 31, 2025, the Twitter account @pannchoa revealed that the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute is set to unveil a video allegedly involving South Korean actors Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun, purportedly dating back to 2018 when Kim Sae-ron was still in high school.
This announcement coincides with a press conference hosted by Kim Soo-hyun at 4:30 PM (KST) at the Stanford Hotel in Mapo District, Seoul. During this event, the actor addressed prior allegations regarding his relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron.
The actor’s agency, Gold Medalist, confirmed that an official statement will be made in collaboration with his legal team from LKB & Partners; however, they indicated that there would be no opportunity for a question-and-answer session during this address.
Emerging Controversy Surrounding Kim Soo-hyun
The controversy first erupted on March 10, 2025, when the Garosero Research Institute alleged that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a romantic relationship with Kim Sae-ron for a duration of six years, which reportedly began when she was just 15 years old. Since that announcement, the channel has released various photos and videos they claim substantiate these allegations.
Press Conference by Kim Sae-ron’s Family
In response to the growing narrative, Kim Sae-ron’s family held a press conference on March 27, 2025. Their lawyer, Bu Ji-seok of BUYOU, represented them and shared that the family is grappling with severe anxiety and distress as rumors about Kim Sae-ron’s life and tragic passing persist.
“The private life of the late Kim Sae-ron has been indiscriminately scrutinized almost daily, leading to unfounded speculation and criticism against the family, and the family is suffering from extreme anxiety and mental and physical pain,”said B Ji-seok, as reported by Chosun Biz.
The lawyer further emphasized that the intention behind the press conference was to highlight the struggles of Kim Sae-ron’s family, not to delve into the reasons behind her untimely decision to end her life.
During the conference, the family accused YouTuber Lee Jin-ho of disseminating false information regarding Kim Sae-ron, suggesting that such claims contributed to her distress. They also alleged that Kim Soo-hyun originally denied their relationship, later revising his account to suggest it only began after she turned 18.
To substantiate their claims, the family’s attorney presented screenshots of alleged KakaoTalk conversations between Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun. Furthermore, the family revealed Instagram direct messages from April 9, 2024, in which Kim Sae-ron confided personal experiences about her relationship with a friend.
Additionally, they shared details regarding an undelivered letter she attempted to send to Kim Soo-hyun following a second certification of contents, although specifics of its contents were not disclosed. The family asserted that Kim Soo-hyun’s silence on the matter, despite their efforts for dialogue, has added to their grievances.
Concluding the press conference, the attorney reiterated that the focus was on advocating for the family and requested that the public and media cease their criticism.
In solidarity, Kim Soo-hyun’s Brazilian fans organized and sent protest trucks near the venue of the press conference on March 31, 2025, raising awareness against cyberbullying.