On April 6, 2025, Choi Geon-hee, the brother of the late Sulli, sparked controversy by making serious allegations involving notable South Korean celebrities, including IU, Kim Sae-ron, and Goo Hara. In a social media post, he claimed that IU was instrumental in introducing these celebrities to the same psychiatrist.
Shortly after posting, Choi Geon-hee deleted his remarks, igniting a wave of speculation surrounding the mental health struggles of public figures in South Korea.
The now-deleted post was shared widely on the Korean forum DCinside. It included translations by Koreaboo, highlighting alleged links between IU, Kim Soo-hyun, and another figure named Lee Sarang. He suggested that IU had initially refused the lead role in the film Real, subsequently handing the script to Sulli.
“Kim Soo Hyun, Lee Sa Rang, Lee Jin Ho, Kwak Tae Young: The epicenter. Lee Jung Seob: The victim (important). IU: Close to Kim Soo Hyun, was the first person who rejected the female lead role in Real and later gave the script to Sulli. Kim Sun A: Close with Lee Sa Rang (?),”the now-deleted post read.
Further elaborating his claims, Geon-hee noted that Sulli, Kim Sae-ron, and Goo Hara all had consultations with the same psychiatrist whom IU had recommended. His statement included:
“Sulli: Passed away, was introduced to a psychiatrist by IU. Goo Hara: Passed away, was introduced to a psychiatrist by Sulli (?) Kim Sae Ron: Passed away, went to the same psychiatrist as the above. Han Ji Eun: Victim. Suzy:? An So Hee:? GOLD MEDALIST. REAL”
The Impact of Celebrity Controversies: Kim Sae-ron, Sulli, and Goo Hara
Recent years have seen South Korea’s entertainment industry criticized due to a spate of celebrity deaths, notably those of Sulli, Goo Hara, and most recently, Kim Sae-ron.
Sulli, born Choi Jin-ri and a former member of the K-pop group f(x), battled severe online bullying and harassment, which psychologically impacted her well-being. Tragically, she was found dead in her home in October 2019, and authorities ruled it a case of suicide.
Amid the ongoing discourse surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, Sulli’s legacy resurfaced as her brother made damning allegations against the actor. Media outlet Mint reported that he accused Kim Soo-hyun and Lee Sarang of pressuring Sulli to perform nude scenes in Real, a factor correlated with her decision to take her own life.
Goo Hara, known for her role in the girl group Kara, also faced exorbitant public scrutiny that exacerbated her personal struggles. Reports indicated that her brother, Goo Ho-in, disclosed that she had made multiple attempts to end her life.
Ho-in pointed to the emotional turmoil stemming from her ex-boyfriend’s behavior as a significant factor in her tragic decision, which culminated in her passing in November 2019.
The passing of Kim Sae-ron in February 2025 revived critical discussions about the pressures faced by celebrities, particularly following her infamous drunk-driving incident in 2022, which resulted in intense media scrutiny and ultimately impacted her mental health.
The situation took a complex turn when rumors surfaced regarding a potential past relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron during her underage years. This speculation stemmed from an exposé by the Garosero YouTube channel, which featured interviews with Sae-ron’s relatives, alongside purported evidence such as messages and photographs between the two actors.
In response, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, refuted the claims, asserting that any romantic relationship occurred after Sae-ron reached legal adulthood, between 2019 and 2020.
Moreover, Kim Sae-ron’s family presented alleged text exchanges with Kim Soo-hyun, revealing her desperate pleas for assistance in settling a significant debt of 700 million KRW owed to Gold Medalist. These texts indicated that Sae-ron was unaware of legal actions the agency initiated against her regarding the debt.
Despite inquiries by media outlet Dispatch regarding Gold Medalist’s intentions to reclaim the debt, the agency stated it had been categorized as “bad debt”during their 2024 financial assessments. Nevertheless, they conceded that Kim Sae-ron had not been informed of this status, and the notification of debt was merely procedural.
In light of these developments, Kim Soo-hyun has filed a lawsuit against Kim Sae-ron’s family, demanding 12 billion won (approximately $8.22 million) for alleged defamation, illustrating the complexities of celebrity relationships and mental health issues within South Korea’s entertainment scene.