Kim Soo-hyun Addresses Relationship Controversy at Recent Press Conference
Actor Kim Soo-hyun recently faced scrutiny over his past connection with the late Kim Sae-ron during a press conference held on March 31, 2025. His remarks came in the wake of a photo shared by Kim Sae-ron in 2024, which spurred discussions about their relationship.
“I could not admit to the relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron when ‘Queen of Tears’ was airing,”he explained. “As I became an actor and received abundant love, my circumstances changed. I went from having little to having much to protect. Even during the airing of ‘Queen of Tears,’ I faced numerous responsibilities as the lead actor.”
During the conference, Kim Soo-hyun outlined the complexities of his role as a leading actor, emphasizing the loyalty he felt towards his colleagues, production team, and agency:
“At that time, if I admitted to the relationship with the person I dated a few years ago, what would happen? What would happen to my fellow actors, the dedicated staff working late nights, the production company risking everything, and my agency family?”
Reflecting further, he shared the dual struggle of maintaining his professional persona while dealing with personal turmoil. Kim acknowledged that he often prioritized his career, leading to ongoing concern and anxiety regarding his public image.
Despite the relentless public scrutiny, Kim asserted that he would make the same choice regarding his relationship if faced with a similar situation again:
“If I were back to the time when ‘Queen of Tears’ was airing, my choice would remain the same. No matter how much I ponder this, I still can’t admit it,”he stated. “I believe it’s a responsibility I must uphold as Kim Soo-hyun. If that makes me appear cowardly or selfish, I accept it and apologize to those who cared for me.”
Legal Ramifications and Ongoing Allegations
During the press conference, Kim also confronted continuous allegations that had arisen in relation to his past with Kim Sae-ron, specifically addressing disputed text messages attributed to him. The event, held at the Stanford Hotel in Seoul, was also attended by his legal representative, attorney Kim Jong-bok from LKBN Partners.
Acknowledging the pain caused by the controversy, Kim expressed regret, saying:
“I am sorry. It seems that so many people are suffering because of that one person. It pains me deeply that the deceased cannot rest in peace.”
According to reports from Sports World, Kim confirmed that he had dated Kim Sae-ron for approximately a year five years prior to ‘Queen of Tears’ airing. However, he chose to deny the relationship at the time due to fears of its impact on colleagues and the production team.
In light of recent claims, another outlet, SPOTV, detailed Kim’s firm denial of the accusations against him, which included assertions about incriminating KakaoTalk messages. He stated:
“The bereaved family is using KakaoTalk to frame me as a pedophile and a groomer of minors. The people talking to the deceased in the 2016 and 2018 KakaoTalk messages are different individuals.”
To counter these allegations, Kim provided his KakaoTalk history for forensic examination, which helped corroborate his claims:
“In order to prove this fact, I submitted the KakaoTalk messages I exchanged with acquaintances in 2016, 2018, and this year to a verification agency. Their analysis concluded that the respective individuals from 2016 and 2018 are different.”
He further articulated his frustrations regarding the emergence of manipulated evidence intended to portray him negatively:
“Whenever my agency and I present our stance on the evidence from the bereaved family, new testimonies appear out of nowhere. Photos and videos are manipulated to misrepresent timelines, and edited KakaoTalk messages are presented as authentic.”
Kim announced that both he and his agency intend to take legal action against those disseminating falsehoods about him, insisting on proper legal procedures to validate all claims against him. He stated firmly that while he welcomes criticism regarding his decisions, he will not accept responsibility for unfounded accusations.
According to Xports News, Kim Soo-hyun’s legal team has initiated a lawsuit against Kim Sae-ron’s family, seeking damages amounting to 12 billion won, which has been filed at the Seoul District Court. They also lodged a criminal complaint targeting the family for defamation.
The controversy surrounding the late actress has intensified following claims from her family alleging that Kim Soo-hyun had been romantically involved with her since she was a minor. The family pointed to emotional distress suffered by Kim Sae-ron linked to past financial disputes involving her previous management agency, Gold Medalist, which had announced its intent to pursue legal action against the family and the Garosero Research Institute.
As a result of the unfolding situation, Kim Soo-hyun’s career has faced significant repercussions, including a delay in the release of his Disney+ series Knock-Off and diminished partnerships with advertisers. Reports also indicate that the family of the late singer and actress Sulli has sought clarifications regarding her appearance in Kim’s earlier film Real.