The controversy centres on two key accusations: that Kim Soo-hyun engaged in a romantic relationship with Kim Sae-ron when she was 15 years old, and that his agency, GoldMedalist, pressured her to repay a debt. These allegations have sent shockwaves through South Korea’s entertainment industry, impacting the career of Kim Soo-hyun, a prominent figure known for his leading roles in numerous successful dramas and films.
Kim Soo-hyun, 37, addressed the media in Seoul on Monday, stating, “I can’t admit to something I didn’t do.” He became emotional as he denied dating Kim Sae-ron while she was underage, clarifying that their relationship occurred only when she was an adult.
The scandal emerged in the wake of Kim Sae-ron’s death, with a YouTube channel known for its controversial content initially alleging a six-year relationship between the actors, commencing when she was 15. The channel subsequently released further videos and photos, which it claimed as evidence of their relationship.
Last week, the legal representatives of Kim Sae-ron’s family held a press conference, presenting further messaging history allegedly exchanged between the two actors from 2016, when she was 16.
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency initially refuted the allegations, later clarifying that the actors had dated, but only between 2019 and 2020, when Kim Sae-ron was an adult. The actor’s silence was broken on Monday when he held his own press conference.
“Many people are suffering because of me,” Kim Soo-hyun said, apologizing to his fans and staff. “I also feel sorry that the late actress [Kim Sae-ron] isn’t able to rest in peace.” He reiterated his denial of dating her as a minor, stating, “I never dated her when she was a minor. Except for the fact that both of us were actors, our relationship was just like that of any other ordinary couple.”
Kim Soo-hyun also addressed the deleted Instagram photo that Kim Sae-ron posted in 2024, during the airing of his Netflix drama “Queen of Tears.” He explained that he denied the relationship at the time to protect the production, stating, “I had so much to protect as its lead actor. What would have happened if I had admitted to a year-long relationship? What would happen to the actors, the staff who were working overnight and the production team who had everything staked on that project? The more I thought of it, the more I thought that shouldn’t be what I do.”
Read more: Kim Sae-ron’s Legacy: A Wake-Up Call for the Korean Entertainment Industry?
In South Korea’s entertainment industry, any admission of a romantic relationship can be considered scandalous due to intense scrutiny from fans. Kim Sae-ron herself had previously faced public backlash following a 2022 drink-driving incident.
Kim Sae-ron’s family also alleged that Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, GoldMedalist, which represented her from 2020 to 2022, pressured her to repay a debt related to compensation for her drunk-driving incident. Kim Soo-hyun denied these claims, stating that Kim Sae-ron “did not make the tragic choice because of me or my agency pressuring her over a debt.”
He then released a voice recording of a phone call from a year ago, allegedly between his agency and Kim Sae-ron’s representative, in which the CEO of GoldMedalist appears to explain that the document regarding the debt was merely for “procedural reasons.”
Read more: Kim Sae-ron: South Korean Star of ‘The Man From Nowhere’ Found Dead at 24
Kim Soo-hyun’s lawyer stated that criminal complaints and a civil lawsuit for damages have been filed against Kim Sae-ron’s family and the YouTube channel operator.
Kim Soo-hyun, known for his roles in dramas like My Love from the Star and Queen of Tears, has faced career repercussions, with fashion brand Prada and cosmetics company Dinto ending their collaborations with him. A Disney+ show starring him has also reportedly been put on pause.
