Yukaris Fan Cafe Responds Amid Controversy Surrounding Kim Soo-hyun
On March 13, 2025, the fan cafe for popular South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun, known as Yukaris, released a statement addressing growing rumors about his alleged relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. With nearly 30,000 members, the fan cafe aimed to clarify its position amid escalating media speculation.
“Hello, this is the Yukaris moderators. We find the media’s speculative reports about the position of Yukaris to be very unfortunate, particularly the use of provocative keywords,” they stated (quoted by Koreaboo).
In their follow-up message, the fan cafe emphasized:
“The reports claiming that the fan club will be suspended and closed down are not true. The fan club has been set to private temporarily to protect its members and will resume operations once protection can be guaranteed for all the members. We would like to ask everyone to refrain from cyberbullying. Our fan cafe will continue to support Kim Soo-hyun.”
Public Reaction to Yukaris’ Statement
Despite Yukaris’ declaration of ongoing support for Kim Soo-hyun, many netizens expressed their disapproval. Comments flooded social media, criticizing the fan cafe’s stance during such serious allegations.
“Disgusting. These people are out of their f**king mind. How can they still defend him???”one user expressed.
Accusations from the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute suggested that Kim Soo-hyun had an inappropriate relationship with Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. This has led to speculation about the fan cafe possibly retracting their support to mitigate public backlash.
The moderators of Yukaris firmly criticized the misinterpretation of their intentions by the media, while fans voiced their outrage regarding the situation.
“Male-centered women in denial can’t accept their oppa is a pedophile. It’s normalized pedophile behavior,”one fan remarked.
“Being so attached to a celebrity is an illness. Denying reality and thinking someone you admire is perfect, just because you invested time and money on that person. Just get well soon, may karma get them too!!”another viewer commented.
“They are literally supporting someone who was writing love letters to a child while he was serving in the military. I don’t understand the craziness here…”a person shared.
The Timeline of Allegations: Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron’s Controversy
The controversy erupted following claims made by the Garosero Research Institute, which suggested that Kim Soo-hyun had a clandestine relationship with Kim Sae-ron beginning in 2015 when she was just 15 years old, and he was 27. This news surfaced shortly after Kim Sae-ron’s tragic death, which was confirmed as a suicide on February 16.
According to the channel, Kim Sae-ron’s aunt alleged that the relationship continued as she joined Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, in 2019, after departing from YG Entertainment. While under Gold Medalist, she reportedly contributed pro bono services by providing acting lessons and mentoring junior actors.
In a troubling turn of events, the video also claimed that Kim Soo-hyun and Gold Medalist incurred approximately ₩700 million in financial damages during Kim Sae-ron’s DUI scandal in 2022, which she had reportedly agreed to repay. Subsequently, in 2024, Gold Medalist allegedly issued a legal notice demanding repayment from her.
Reports indicate that Kim Sae-ron attempted to reach out to Kim Soo-hyun before her passing, including a social media post featuring the two, though he reportedly ignored her attempts at contact. Gold Medalist later released a statement distancing themselves from the actress, underscoring the pressure she faced, which, according to her aunt, contributed to her mental health struggles.
Responding to the allegations, Gold Medalist unequivocally denied claims of impropriety, calling them “baseless and malicious,” and indicating plans for legal action against Garosero Research Institute for disseminating false information.
In a further development, the Garosero Research Institute announced that they possessed more controversial evidence, including a message from Kim Sae-ron to Kim Soo-hyun wherein she allegedly requested more time to settle her debts. They also provided a 2016 photograph showing Kim Soo-hyun kissing Kim Sae-ron, noting her underage status at the time.
On March 13, 2025, the same channel indicated they would release “shirtless” photographs of Kim Soo-hyun if he did not publicly apologize. They emphasized the demand for an apology from Kim Sae-ron’s family, as they prepare a definitive statement about the situation.