On March 13, 2025, Kbizoom unveiled a heartwarming yet poignant story about South Korean actor Won Bin. Allegedly, he quit smoking to honor the memory of his young co-star, Kim Sae-ron, during the filming of the 2010 action-thriller, The Man from Nowhere. At the time, Kim was just 10 years old, and Won Bin wanted to foster a healthier atmosphere on set for her.
According to Hans Economy (also known as Hans Biz), Won Bin’s commitment to his non-smoking vows continued beyond the film’s completion. As a symbol of his affection, he gifted Kim a pink laptop, a cozy blanket, and a plush toy, showcasing his caring nature.
The resurfacing of this story has struck a chord with fans and online communities, particularly in light of the tragic events surrounding Kim Sae-ron’s recent passing.
The Tragic Passing of Kim Sae-ron
On February 16, 2025, Kim Sae-ron tragically died by suicide at the age of just 24. Won Bin attended her funeral the following day, visibly distressed as he left abruptly when approached by reporters.
Further complicating the narrative, The Express Tribune reported on March 12, 2025, that Won Bin had offered to assist Kim Sae-ron by secretly providing her with 700 million KRW (approximately $481,496.77) to Gold Medalist, her management agency. However, claims surfaced that Kim Soo-hyun, another actor, intervened to prevent this gesture of support.
It is critical to note that these claims remain unverified, despite widespread coverage across various international outlets.
Allegations Surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron
On March 10, 2025, serious allegations regarding an alleged relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron emerged. Claims suggested they began dating when Kim Sae-ron was just 15, and Kim Soo-hyun was 27.
The controversy escalated after the YouTube channel Garosero (@Hoverlab) claimed to represent family members of Kim Sae-ron, stating they possessed 200 photographs documenting the couple’s relationship over six years since it began in 2015.
To validate these claims, Garosero released an alleged handwritten letter supposedly from Kim Soo-hyun to Kim Sae-ron, dated June 9, 2018, during his military service. In the purported letter, he affectionately referred to her with the nickname “Saero-Nero,”suggesting a close personal connection.
“June 9, 2018 To SaeroNero…[…] The younger guys here keep pulling me into their flow, and now I’m even thinking, ‘Should I go back to school and finish my degree?’ Wait, would that mean we’d end up going school together?! […] So yeah, Please keep take caring of me.”(translation provided by Korea Deok0).
Adding to the mounting allegations, a family member of Kim Sae-ron claimed during a Garosero livestream that Kim Soo-hyun had proposed marriage when she was in her twenties.
Further intensifying the situation, Garosero shared an alleged photo of Kim Soo-hyun kissing Kim Sae-ron on the cheek, which quickly went viral across social media platforms on March 12, 2025. The image elicited mixed reactions, with many expressing shock over the significant age difference between the two.
In an attempt to address the rising concerns, The Korea Times reported on March 13, 2025, that Gold Medalist denounced the allegations as “baseless falsehoods”and indicated their intention to pursue legal action against those perpetuating the claims.
“We would like to address the recent content regarding Kim Soo Hyun that was broadcasted on the YouTube channel HoverLab Inc. Gold Medalist will clarify the facts and respond to the baseless rumors by presenting a clear and substantiated position next week.”
Financial Controversies Surrounding Kim Sae-ron
Furthermore, subsequent reports from Dispatch disclosed that Gold Medalist demanded the repayment of approximately 700 million KRW from Kim Sae-ron, with a deadline set for December 31, 2023. This claim stems from the agency covering damages related to a DUI incident in 2022, which resulted in significant disruptions for local businesses.
After more than a year, Gold Medalist initiated legal proceedings against her for debt recovery and did not renew her contract. Allegedly, Kim Sae-ron reached out to Kim Soo-hyun for assistance but reportedly received no response.
Garosero later released a text message allegedly from Kim Sae-ron to Kim Soo-hyun, dated March 19, 2024, in which she pleaded for time to settle her financial obligations and sought help against Gold Medalist’s lawsuit.
“Oppa, it’s Saeron. I received the legal notice, it says you’re suing me… You said you would give me plenty of time, so I’ve been working hard to prepare for my comeback. I plan to gradually pay back a percentage from each project I take on,”she said.
“I’m not saying that I won’t pay the money back, but if you ask me for 700 Million KRW right now, I just physically can’t. Do we really have to resort to a lawsuit? Please save me…I’m begging you. Please give me some time.”
The fallout from these controversies has impacted Kim Soo-hyun significantly, resulting in an estimated loss of 300,000 followers on Instagram. Additionally, he was removed from MBC’s variety show Good Day by G-DRAGON and will not participate in upcoming episodes.
Consumer backlash has escalated, with many fans urging brands associated with Kim Soo-hyun to sever their partnerships. Reports indicate that Jeju Airways has made advertisements featuring the actor private amid the growing controversy.