YouTuber Lee Jin-ho Responds to Controversial Allegations Surrounding Kim Sae-ron
The popular YouTuber Lee Jin-ho has publicly addressed accusations made by the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron concerning his coverage of her rumored relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun. In a video posted on March 28, titled ‘Entertainment President Lee Jin-ho’ (@Behind_Master), Lee contested claims suggesting that he misrepresented their relationship.
Lee firmly denied allegations that he referred to the romance as fabricated. Addressing the issue head-on, he stated:
“The family of the deceased must already have the script for my broadcast. At no point did I say that it was a fabricated drama or that the relationship between the two is false after Kim Sae-ron posted the photo of her and Kim Soo-hyun with their faces close. If there is evidence of such a claim, they should present it as proof.”
The Legal Implications: Family’s Accusations and Lee’s Defense
This controversy escalated following a press conference on March 27, where Kim Sae-ron’s family stated their intention to initiate legal proceedings against Lee Jin-ho for alleged stalking. In his rebuttal, Lee remarked:
“Interestingly, they are suing me for stalking, not for spreading false information. This actually proves that the recorded calls I released—between the late Kim Sae-ron and her ex-boyfriend, as well as with other related parties—were true.”
Lee questioned the reasoning behind being implicated at all, clarifying his lack of connection to both Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist:
“What connection do I have with Kim Soo-hyun that they are dragging me into this? I have never once contacted or met anyone from Gold Medalist. I have no ties with former Gold Medalist employees either.”
Disparities and Continued Tension
Lee further pointed out discrepancies in the family’s claims, particularly the focus on Kim Soo-hyun while ignoring allegations against Kim Sae-ron’s husband, who reportedly admitted to abusive behavior but didn’t attend her funeral:
“While they aggressively go after Kim Soo-hyun, they remain silent about the husband, who publicly admitted their marriage but didn’t even attend her funeral as her legal spouse. There is evidence of abusive messages and injuries, yet they make no accusations against him.”
As the back-and-forth escalates, Lee has expressed intentions to pursue legal action against those he believes have defamed him:
“This is a clear case of defamation. I will take legal action to ensure that the results are clearly revealed.”
Background on the Controversy
For context, the late actress’s family intensified their legal battle against YouTuber Lee Jin-ho during a press conference on March 27, where Boo Ji-seok, their legal representative, disclosed sensitive information regarding Kim Soo-hyun’s past relationship with Kim Sae-ron, asserting it began when the actress was still a minor.
Accusations against Lee include claims of ridiculing the late actress and contributing to her tragic demise, particularly through the dissemination of misinformation regarding her personal life. This follows a previous lawsuit filed on March 17, where the family accused Lee of defamation for allegedly fabricating statements about Kim Sae-ron’s interactions with Kim Soo-hyun, which they argue led to her emotional distress.
Lee engaged with these claims by asserting that his previous coverage was grounded in factual reporting and that he would persist in uncovering the truth, despite ongoing legal issues. He expressed significant frustration, stating that his clarifications were being ignored in favor of one-sided narratives.
The Fallout for Kim Soo-hyun’s Upcoming Projects
The fallout from this controversy has already begun to impact the entertainment industry, with Disney+ postponing the release of Kim Soo-hyun’s upcoming drama, Knock-Off, originally set to debut in April 2025.
The ongoing developments in this case illustrate a broader conversation about the responsibilities of content creators in reporting sensitive information while navigating the repercussions such allegations can have on personal lives and careers. The situation continues to evolve, as both parties maintain strong positions regarding their claims.
Watch Lee Jin-ho’s full response here
This evolving story highlights the grey areas of media representation and personal responsibility—issues that resonate deeply within the K-pop and film industries.