On March 17, 2025, the controversy surrounding South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun escalated when Kbizoom reported his appearance on G-Dragon’s variety show, GOOD DAY. This has drawn significant criticism from netizens, especially given Kim’s ongoing legal troubles and public outcry.
Background of the Controversy
The situation came to light after allegations surfaced from the YouTube channel Garosero (@Hoverlab), claiming that Kim Soo-hyun was involved in a six-year romantic relationship with actress Kim Sae-ron. This relationship allegedly began in 2015, when Kim Sae-ron was only 15 years old, while Kim Soo-hyun was 27, raising serious legal and ethical concerns.
MBC’s Response to Backlash
In the wake of the backlash, the production team behind GOOD DAY released an official statement on March 17, apologizing for the distress caused and announcing their plan to edit out scenes featuring Kim Soo-hyun from the show.
“We apologize for causing concern. We are aware of the seriousness of the controversy surrounding the cast and are continuing production while prioritizing viewer reactions. After careful discussion, the production team recorded and filmed the sketches with the possibility of deleting some footage in mind and tried to minimize overlap with other cast members.”
Furthermore, the team clarified that they had been awaiting formal communication from Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, regarding the issue. The agency indicated they would address the controversy on March 13, 2025.
Agency’s Position and Viewers’ Reactions
Gold Medalist communicated that due to Kim Soo-hyun’s busy schedule, there might be challenges in accommodating his filming for GOOD DAY in the future. Consequently, the production team proceeded with filming, ensuring they could remove Kim’s footage if the scandal worsened.
In response to public discontent, TEO—the production company—also issued an apology, affirming that they had proactively minimized Kim’s appearances by editing out his scenes from previously aired episodes.
Netizens expressed their frustration on various social media platforms, with many criticizing producers for their delayed action. One user summarized the sentiments, stating:
“Just cut his scene! why need to minimize? Are you that scared of him? Does he have such power to question your authority in editing him out?”
Additional criticisms highlighted the efforts required from the editing team, as viewers called for the complete removal of Kim Soo-hyun’s presence in the show:
“My respects to the editors, they had to do two weeks’ worth of work in less than four days, and neither he nor his agency could provide a proper response. And yet you still had to come out and apologize FOR SOMEONE ELSE’S ACTIONS!”
The Emerging Narrative: Allegations and Industry Impact
Kim Soo-hyun, widely recognized for his roles in My Love from the Star and Queen of Tears, faced these serious allegations as they drew the attention of fans and the media alike. An interview by Garosero with Kim Sae-ron’s family precipitated the allegations on March 10, 2025, coming soon after her tragic passing on February 16, 2025, ruled a suicide by police.
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, released a statement on March 10 denying that there had been any inappropriate relationship between the actor and Kim Sae-ron when she was underage. On March 14, The Korea Times reported that while Gold Medalist acknowledged a relationship, it occurred after Kim Sae-ron turned 18, between summer 2019 and fall 2020.
Gold Medalist’s Defense
The agency also refuted claims that Kim Soo-hyun pressured Kim Sae-ron over a hefty penalty fee associated with her DUI incident. They emphasized that:
“The debt issue was solely between Gold Medalist and Kim Sae-ron. Claims that Kim Soo-hyun lent her money or tried to reclaim it are groundless. Kim Soo-hyun is now being wrongfully portrayed as the cause of the late actress’s tragic end. Since the Garo Sero report, all of his past actions are being misinterpreted as deliberate wrongdoing.”
For context, Kim Sae-ron had faced legal issues stemming from a DUI arrest in May 2022, where her blood alcohol concentration was found to be significantly above the legal limit. Her agency had paid the 700 million won (approximately $483,186) on her behalf. The inquiry into her debt situation continued even posthumously, leading to demands from her family for public accountability from both Gold Medalist and Kim Soo-hyun.
As this situation continues to unfold, it raises pressing questions about accountability and ethics within the entertainment industry and the broader implications for both Kim Soo-hyun and Korean pop culture at large.