On March 29, 2025, News 1 revealed that Lee Jung-sub, the original director of the film Real, addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and Sulli for the first time since his departure from the project. This situation escalated on March 28, when Sulli’s older brother publicly criticized the portrayal of her intimate scenes in the film.
On the same day, Lee Jung-sub shared a post on his X account that referenced a tweet he had made back in 2017 about his replacement in the film’s directing role.
The post drew renewed attention, suggesting strong ties to the actor involved. Now that the film has premiered, it is widely accepted that Director Lee Jung-sub cannot be held accountable for the final product.
In his response to the repost, he expressed his heartache saying:
“Thank you, I was really heartbroken for a long time,”as reported by News 1 and translated by Google.
Lee Jung-sub has remained active on social media, where he regularly critiques Kim Soo-hyun’s role in relation to the film. On March 12, 2025, he also paid tribute to Sulli, reminiscing about how the late actress often sent him photos demanding to know which ones he preferred.
Jokingly, he noted his feigned annoyance at the request, stating he found all her pictures beautiful and couldn’t choose a favorite. He concluded with:
“I still hear the voice asking for the answer sometimes, so even now I look at the photo with a sad face for a long time to choose which photo I like the most,”as translated by Google.
Set against a backdrop of intrigue, Real narrates the journey of a gangster who engages in a fierce power struggle for control of a casino and confronts an enigmatic investor who bears an uncanny resemblance to him. The film features performances by Kim Soo-hyun and Sulli in leading roles.
According to News 1, post-production duties were taken over by Lee Sa-rang, the CEO of the production company and a family member of Kim Soo-hyun.
Delving Deeper into the Controversy Surrounding Real
On March 28, 2025, Choi, Sulli’s elder brother, took to Instagram to share a newspaper article excerpt along with a poignant message:
“Gold, please respond as soon as possible with the answer I want. Not the words you want to say,” as reported by The Korea Times.
Previously, he had posted a somber black screen marking six years since his sister’s passing, expressing his lingering pain and hoping to endure without breaking.
On that same day, a statement from Choi was released by Sports Kyunghyang, conveying a mix of sorrow and resolve. He reflected on six years filled with grief and expressed gratitude for the support he received.
Choi also mourned the loss of actress Kim Sae-ron, stating that he could not dismiss it as just another tragedy. He voiced his concerns regarding a controversial bed scene from Real, mentioning reports that a body double was present despite claims Sulli was unable to work due to health issues.
He articulated his demand for clarity from both Kim Soo-hyun and the then-director Lee Sa-rang (also known as Lee Ro-be) regarding their involvement:
“Since the people involved are no longer with us, it’s difficult to verify. But I ask Kim Soo-hyun and then-director Lee Sa-rang to clarify their positions.” as reported by The Korea Times
Choi elaborated that he had heard from various staff and actors that Sulli’s intimate scenes were not originally scripted and questioned why a body double was utilized if Sulli was pressured to perform the scene herself. Additionally, he sought confirmation about the body double’s presence during Sulli’s supposed illness.
It is worth noting that Real contains several demanding scenes, some of which include nudity. Lee Sa-rang’s involvement is also particularly notable as he co-founded Kim Soo-hyun’s management agency, GOLD MEDALIST. Reports indicate that Sulli suffered considerable mental distress following her time on this film.
Amidst this backdrop of turmoil, Kim Soo-hyun is also facing scrutiny due to allegations related to a romantic scandal involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron during her minor years.