On April 5, 2025, family members of the late actress Kim Sae-ron commemorated her 49th-day memorial service in a solemn gathering at a private columbarium. According to a report from South Korean media outlet Sports Trends, the family met in the morning to pay their respects, offering prayers for her eternal peace and expressing gratitude to her supporters throughout her life.
The memorial served as an opportunity for the family to communicate their desire to protect Kim Sae-ron’s reputation amid tumultuous times, specifically a legal dispute involving actor Kim Soo-hyun. This gathering not only provided closure but also emphasized the enduring bond shared by Kim Sae-ron and her loved ones.
A Significant 49-Day Commemoration: Tribute from Kim Bo-ra and Controversy with Kim Soo-hyun
The date marked 49 days since Kim Sae-ron’s untimely passing at the age of 25 on February 16, 2025. In Korean tradition, this period is particularly significant, holding profound importance in Buddhist customs. While her personal beliefs were not widely known, the 49-day milestone is observed as a crucial time for families during which the deceased’s soul is believed to transcend to the next life after a brief period of lingering.
Through rituals such as “Cheondojae,”family members and friends come together to honor the spirit, praying for a smooth transition to the afterlife. This moment also serves as a poignant time for loved ones to find solace and closure in their memories.
On this day, Kim Bo-ra, a dear friend and fellow actor who starred with Kim Sae-ron in the 2015 drama Glamorous Temptation, paid tribute on Instagram Stories. She fondly recounted their initial encounter at an audition when she was 16, and Kim Sae-ron was just 11. Bo-ra reflected on their friendship, reminiscing about the heartfelt notes exchanged over the years, capturing the essence of their unique bond.
“When you were 11 and I was 16, we first met at an audition. You kept chattering next to me as if I was so amazing. Then you became a middle schooler, then a high schooler. Then suddenly, you were driving. You loved receiving letters so much that I had fun writing you notes even when it wasn’t your birthday—sometimes by text, sometimes handwritten,”Bo-ra expressed.
As she shared nostalgic photographs, Bo-ra expressed the complex emotions that surfaced upon revisiting those memories.
“Looking back at my photo album, I see what kind of emotions I had back then. My youngest who hated the cold… And of course, it’s raining again. Don’t fall down, silly. Just accept this letter,”she added.
In a heartfelt sentiment, she included a photo captioned with:
“Even if it is a relationship that we will never see again, wasn’t it nice to have been together for a moment?”
Later, she shared a video that captured a playful moment between them during a time they sported matching pink hair, captioning it affectionately:
“Sae-ron, who wouldn’t even eat properly because of work… now eat everything and speak freely.”
In a darker turn of events, following Kim Sae-ron’s death, her family made severe allegations that sparked significant controversy. During an appearance on the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, they claimed that Kim Soo-hyun had a romantic connection with her when she was still a minor, asserting that their relationship began when she was only 15 and he was 27.
According to Kim Sae-ron’s family, after her DUI incident, her agency, Gold Medalist, allegedly demanded 700 million won from her. They indicated that pleas for assistance directed toward Kim Soo-hyun went unanswered, asserting that such incidents contributed heavily to her distress and, ultimately, her demise.
This allegations escalated quickly, with the Garosero Research Institute releasing purported chat logs, video evidence, and photographs to substantiate their claims. Consequently, Kim Sae-ron’s family announced plans to sue YouTuber Lee Jin-ho for defamation, accusing him of disseminating false footage about the late actress’s personal life, particularly regarding her relationship with Kim Soo-hyun. They also called for an apology from the prominent actor.
On March 31, Kim Soo-hyun issued a public statement refuting the claims of dating Kim Sae-ron while she was underage, asserting that he did not contribute to her tragic fate. He acknowledged that initial hesitation regarding public backlash had prompted him to deny the relationship, stating that they had only briefly dated approximately five years prior to the filming of Queen of Tears.
Regarding the leaked KakaoTalk conversations, he maintained that the chats were manipulated. Furthermore, he condemned the circulation of edited content and fallacious allegations against his integrity.
In response to the allegations, Kim and his agency filed a civil lawsuit claiming 12 billion won in damages against Kim Sae-ron’s relatives and the operator of the Garosero Research Institute channel. Additionally, a separate complaint for defamation was lodged. Kim Soo-hyun committed to fully cooperating with authorities to clear his name.