Controversy Strikes South Korean Actor Kim Soo-hyun: Instagram Fallout and Allegations

Kim Soo-hyun, the renowned South Korean actor, has recently experienced a significant decline in his Instagram following amid allegations concerning his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. The controversy escalated following a report from the Garosero Research Institute, published on March 11, 2025, which unveiled the details of their relationship.

Revelations from the Garosero Research Institute Report

According to the YouTube exposé, Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were allegedly in a relationship from 2015 to 2021. This six-year connection drew scrutiny due to the 12-year age difference—Sae-ron was merely 15 years old when they started dating, while Soo-hyun was 27. Such a disparity has led to serious allegations of grooming against the actor.

The fallout from the report has severely tarnished Kim Soo-hyun’s public image, and he has lost a substantial number of followers—in just a few days, his count plummeted from 21.2 million to 20.6 million, with ongoing negative trends indicated.

Public Reaction and Social Media Backlash

As the details of the allegations emerged, criticism intensified online. Numerous comments flooded his posts, revealing a wave of discontent and calls for accountability. Here’s a glimpse into some netizens’ reactions:

“Serves him right!! how innocent he looked.. all show only,”said one netizen.

“I’m gonna need more than just his Instagram to be hit with impact. He groomed a 15-year-old. Lock. Him. Up.,”stated another user.

“It’s still not enough; he should get lower and lower,”commented yet another.

“I hope he loses all his 20 M followers,”remarked one disgruntled netizen.

The sentiments of many users have echoed a desire for faster subscriber losses, with comments such as:

“It’s not dropping fast enough for me,”said a frustrated user.

“More and more please,”added another.

“Smh… why isn’t it down to zero yet?”questioned a concerned follower.

Impact on Kim Soo-hyun’s Brand Partnerships

The controversy has not only impacted his social media presence but has also led to the loss of numerous brand partnerships. Reports indicate that he has severed ties with at least seven brands, including notable names like Shinhan Group, Eider, and Homeplus.

Details of the Alleged Relationship

The Garosero Research Institute’s investigation detailed that Kim Sae-ron, who joined Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, in 2019, was financially supported by the actor during her DUI incident, where the agency reportedly covered a compensation fee of 700 million KRW.

Kim Sae-ron expressed her gratitude for this support but later faced a shock when the agency demanded the return of the money after her departure in 2024. Attempts to reach out to Soo-hyun reportedly met with silence, intensifying the situation.

Further complications arose when it was alleged that Soo-hyun shared the contact information of Sae-ron’s cousin with journalists, sparking additional outrage. To counter the narrative, Sae-ron publicly shared a photo of the two taken during the promotion of her last K-drama, “Queen of Tears,”but both the actor and the agency denied the dating allegations.

Tragically, Kim Sae-ron passed away on February 16, 2025—her former partner’s birthday. As the investigation continued, the Garosero Research Institute mentioned having more evidence to support their claims, which they intend to reveal in the future.

For further details, refer to this source.