The Kim Soo-hyun & Kim Sae-ron Controversy: Everything You Need To Know
The South Korean entertainment scene is caught up in the latest controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun. Known for his roles in hit dramas like 'My Love from the Star' and 'Queen of Tears', he has long been seen as the ideal green-flag boyfriend on-screen and a quirky, lovable star in real life. But now, he’s caught in a scandal involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron. As more details surface, here’s a breakdown of everything we know so far.
The Allegations
In March 2025, reports surfaced claiming that Kim Soo-hyun, now 37, had been in a six-year relationship with Kim Sae-ron, starting when she was 15 and he was 27. YouTube channel HoverLab, also known as Garo Sero Institute, exposed the allegations in a video, citing Kim Sae-ron’s aunt, who accused Kim Soo-hyun of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with her niece and later distancing himself after her 2022 DUI incident.
Photo from Weibo
Financial Entanglements Post-DUI Incident
In May 2022, Kim Sae-ron was involved in a DUI incident that caused significant property damage and sparked public backlash. Her agency at the time, Gold Medalist—a label founded by Kim Soo-hyun and his cousin, which she joined in 2019—initially covered the penalties from projects she had to withdraw from due to the incident. Though they assured her repayment wasn’t necessary, they later demanded approximately 700 million KRW (around $640,000) in damages.
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Under mounting financial pressure, Kim Sae-ron allegedly messaged Kim Soo-hyun on 24 March 2024, pleading for help and more time to repay the debt. She expressed her inability to pay the full amount immediately and begged him to intervene to prevent legal action.
Photo from Dispatch
Translation: "Oppa, I'm Saeron. I received a certified mail saying they are suing me. They said they would give me plenty of time so I am diligently preparing for my comeback and I will pay back a few percent of each project little by little. I am not saying I won't pay back, but if they ask me for 700 million won right away, I really can't do it. It's not that I won't, I just can't do it, but do I really have to go all the way to a lawsuit? Please save me... Please give me time."
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Past Speculations
Kim Soo-hyun never responded to Kim Sae-ron’s text. In March 2024, she posted a selfie with him on Instagram but quickly deleted it, seemingly trying to get his attention. This led to dating rumours, which both denied. However, the post sparked backlash against her at the time.
Photo from Weibo
Since the news and speculations emerged, more personal photos of the two have surfaced online.
Photo from Weibo, ettoday
Photo from HoverLab's YouTube channel
Agency's Response
Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, swiftly refuted these claims, labelling them as "baseless and malicious". They emphasised that such accusations are entirely false and expressed deep sorrow over Kim Sae-ron's passing, as she was once part of their company.
Past Remarks on Marriage
Adding to the controversy, past remarks by Kim Soo-hyun have resurfaced, where he mentioned his desire to marry at the age of 41 to a partner 20 years his junior. These comments have drawn criticism and added to the public's scrutiny of his relationship with Kim Sae-ron.
Photo from Weibo
Tragic Coincidence
Adding to the controversy, Kim Sae-ron's untimely death on 16 February 2025, coincided with Kim Soo-hyun's birthday. This coincidence has led to renewed public interest and speculation regarding their past relationship.
At her funeral, notable figures such as Won Bin, who had been semi-retired for over a decade, attended to pay their respects. However, Kim Soo-hyun, as her former agency head, was notably absent, leading to public speculation and criticism regarding his absence.
Photo from Weibo
As the situation unfolds, the entertainment industry and fans await further clarity. The allegations have undoubtedly prompted discussions about ethics and responsibility within the South Korean entertainment scene.
Gold Medalist to Address Kim Soo-hyun & Kim Sae-ron Allegations
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has announced plans to release an official statement addressing allegations about his alleged relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron.
On 13 March 2025, the agency stated, “We will share our position next week with clear evidence to refute false rumours and clarify the facts.” However, they did not specify when or how the statement would be made.
NEW: Kim Soo-hyun Speaks Out on Kim Sae-ron Allegations, Denies Dating Her as a Minor
Photo from @ron_sae via Instagram
Kim Soo-hyun has finally responded to the swirling rumours about his past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron. His agency, Gold Medalist, Gold Medalist confirmed that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron dated from mid-2019 to late 2020 but emphasised that their relationship only began after she became a legal adult.
“Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after she became a legal adult,” the statement read. “He did not date her when she was a minor.”
The agency also rejected allegations that Kim Soo-hyun pressured Kim Sae-ron to pay a 700 million won (Around $640,000) penalty fee.
Kim Soo-hyun’s Mental Health Takes a Hit
Photo from @soohyun_k216 via Instagram
Gold Medalist revealed that the ongoing rumours have severely affected Kim Soo-hyun’s mental health.
“In the early hours of today, Kim Soo-hyun showed signs of severe psychological distress. We took measures to ensure his stability,” the agency stated. “Since the Garo Sero report, Kim has suffered extreme confusion due to claims blaming him for the actress’s sudden death. People with cameras have also loitered around his residence, adding to the psychological pressure.”
Agency Refutes Old Photo Evidence
Photo from HoverLab's YouTube channel
The agency also challenged Garo Sero Institute’s claim that two photos of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron kissing on the cheek were taken in 2016.
They clarified that the pictures were actually taken in late 2020 and on Christmas Eve 2019. As proof, they cited the metadata in the images and noted that the outfit Kim Sae-ron wore in the photos was released in 2019.
“No photo exists from 2016 because the two were not in a relationship at that time. A letter Kim sent to Kim Sae-ron during his military service was simply one of many friendly letters sent to close acquaintances, and the phrase ‘I miss you’ was a casual expression often used by soldiers.”
Photo from KEYEAST, HoverLab
Translation:
2018.06.09
Saero-Nero,
Today’s weather was so unpredictable, I felt like I was being tossed around in all directions on this supposedly wonderful Saturday. But hey, what a great day to write and think about you, Saero-Nero.
This morning, as I stared into the foggy haze, I wondered, What kind of day will today be…? Caught up in that feeling, I went straight to the noraebang (karaoke), sang some Shin Seung-hun songs terribly, and probably offended him in the process.
About an hour later, the sun started blazing—the same sun that messed with my skin. I thought, This is a sign. So, I grabbed some oil and went up to the helipad to tan. After an hour, I couldn’t take it anymore. It got way too hot. I had lunch, then spent the afternoon watching reruns of Heart Signal 2, rooting for the contestants.
Soon, it got dark again. Heavy storm clouds rolled in, letting go of everything they’d been holding onto, making all sorts of strange noises. I thought, Wow. I’m so glad I’m not on a training mission today. About an hour later, the rain stopped as suddenly as it started. Maybe the clouds went too hard, too fast. Or maybe they were just taking a break before round two. Either way, the sky stayed cloudy, but the weather cleared. The sun peeked through, casting deep shadows and bursting through the gaps—such a beautiful sight, but I didn’t have a camera with me.
I remember one November morning when snow fell over the empty field, covering the fallen leaves. It was such a lonely scene. I remember my first mission, seeing nothing but mountains and thinking, I can’t believe I’m seeing this in Korea. During ambush training, the moon was so bright, and the stars were so clear that I could see every detail of the terrain—it terrified me. Then, when the weather improved, I could smell the changing seasons. I was dying from a tough training session, but suddenly, I caught the scent of sand from a sunny beach, and it made me feel sentimental all day.
I guess what I’m trying to say is… I just want to share the things I find beautiful, the things that bring me joy, the things I see and feel. Even if I can’t see you, I still want to tell you what’s in my heart. I don’t want to burden you, but… I miss you.
It was a good weekend. I wrote some things. Thought about life after discharge. Maybe I’ll travel to Japan or somewhere far, like Northern Europe. With all the younger guys here, I even considered going back to school. Would that mean we could study together? But seriously… when is my discharge?
It’s already been eight months since I enlisted. But when I think about what’s left… over a year still remains. Haha. So, that said… I hope you’ll continue to take good care of me. Salute.
From far, far away,
Kim, Private First Class
Gold Medalist Calls for an End to False Rumours
While confirming the relationship, the agency urged people to stop spreading false information.
“Many people now treat inaccurate information and unverified claims as truth. These baseless rumours spread without even verifying with those involved. This also invades the late actress’s privacy and tarnishes her reputation,” the agency stated.
Gold Medalist also denied allegations that Kim Soo-hyun ignored Kim Sae-ron’s financial struggles, clarifying that the agency, not the actor, covered the remaining debts from her DUI case.
“The debt issue remained solely between Gold Medalist and Kim Sae-ron,” they explained. “Claims that Kim Soo-hyun lent her money or tried to reclaim it are groundless.”
Statement Released Earlier Than Planned
The agency initially planned to release their statement next week but chose to do so earlier due to the actor’s deteriorating mental state.
“Kim Soo-hyun now faces wrongful accusations as the cause of the late actress’s tragic end. Since the Garo Sero report, people have misinterpreted all of his past actions as deliberate wrongdoing. Just because he is a public figure does not mean he must accept endless false accusations and personal attacks,” the agency concluded.
Note: This is based on reports as of 14 March 2025. The situation is ongoing, and new developments may emerge.
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