Actor Kim Soo-hyun has recently become the focal point of controversy within the financial sector as reports from Smart Economy suggest that Shinhan Financial Group may sever ties with him due to a developing scandal. This situation arises amidst allegations concerning his previous relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron, who was reportedly a minor during the dating period.
As backlash mounts on social media platforms, Kim’s endorsements are visibly affected; high-profile brands like luxury fashion maker Prada and cosmetics label Dinto have terminated their partnerships with him, as reported by Reuters. An internal source from Shinhan Financial Group shared insights with Smart Economy on March 27, 2025, raising doubts about the renewal of Kim’s contract, which is due to expire in July 2025:
“I understand that there are several months left in the contract between Shinhan Financial Group and Kim Soo-hyun. Wouldn’t it be difficult to renew the contract?”
Previously, Shinhan Bank had begun removing advertising materials that featured Kim. Despite the growing tide of negative sentiment, the bank maintains an official stance of “monitoring the situation,”leaving the player’s future uncertain.
Controversy Surrounding Kim Sae-ron’s Alleged Letter
The controversy took a deeper turn on March 10, 2025, when Kim Sae-ron’s family, along with the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, accused Kim Soo-hyun of dating her from 2015 to 2021, during which time she would have been approximately 15 years old while he was 27. Tragically, Kim Sae-ron was discovered deceased in her apartment on February 16, 2025—also the birthday of Kim Soo-hyun.
On March 27, 2025, legal representative Bu Ji-seok revealed an unpublished letter allegedly written by Kim Sae-ron to Kim Soo-hyun, which reflects on their relationship and her feelings after their breakup. This letter talks about her struggle with communication and the emotional fallout following her departure from their shared agency.
In the correspondence, Kim Sae-ron expressed regret over a social media post and sought to clarify misunderstandings between them. Analysts suggest this post may have been a selfie from 2023, which caused unintended implications:
“I’m writing because I want to clear up the misunderstandings between us. I couldn’t reach anyone at the company, and I was scared of the lawsuit. Still, I’m sorry for posting the picture. I only posted it in hopes that the company would respond. I didn’t mean to cause harm, and I apologize for that.”
In her letter, she also alluded to feelings of loneliness and the absence of acknowledgment from Kim Soo-hyun, despite their long history together:
“I realized that we were together for about 5-6 years. You were my first and last love, so I hope you won’t avoid me. Seeing you completely ignoring me…makes all that time feel empty and meaningless.”
She concluded the letter by sharing her phone number as the sole means for him to reach her.
In related developments, attorney Bu Ji-seok conducted a press conference on March 27, 2025, at Space Share Gangnam Station in Seoul, where he presented alleged text messages exchanged between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron back in 2016. These messages appeared to be intimate, intensifying scrutiny regarding the allegations of their underage relationship.