In a recently viral video, South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun found himself under intense scrutiny after an emotional press conference addressing the tragic death of his ex-girlfriend, Kim Sae Ron, who passed away on February 16, 2025.
During the conference, a visibly distressed Kim confirmed that he had been in a relationship with Sae Ron but denied allegations that she was underage during their time together.
The controversy surrounding Kim Soo Hyun deepened following the suicide of 24-year-old actress Kim Sae Ron. The two were reportedly in a relationship, but the claims that Sae Ron was a minor when they started dating have sparked a wave of criticism.
Sae Ron's aunt has accused Kim Soo Hyun of dating her niece when Sae Ron was just 15, but both Kim and his agency have strongly rejected these allegations. As the situation develops, here's a timeline of key events that have brought this controversy to the forefront.
Dating Timeline
The allegations first emerged on March 10th, when the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute (HoverLab) released a video claiming that Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun were in a relationship.
The video featured a woman who identified herself as Sae Ron's aunt. She alleged that the couple had been dating since 2015, when Kim Sae Ron was 15 and Kim Soo Hyun was 27. The aunt also suggested that Kim Sae Ron had joined Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, in 2019, contributing to the agency’s establishment by offering services like acting classes and directing new talent, though she claimed these services were not properly compensated.
According to the family, the couple’s relationship ended in July 2021.
Drunk Driving Incident
In May 2022, Kim Sae Ron was involved in a drunk driving incident that resulted in property damage. Her agency, Gold Medalist, reportedly covered the damages, which amounted to 700 million KRW.
It was claimed that after this incident, Kim Soo Hyun distanced himself from her. While Gold Medalist initially paid the damages on Sae Ron’s behalf without asking for repayment, they later sent her a legal notice demanding repayment by 2024.
Her contract with Gold Medalist was not renewed following the incident.
Financial Disputes
In March 2024, Kim Sae Ron reportedly sent a text message to Kim Soo Hyun, pleading for more time to repay the debt demanded by Gold Medalist. However, it was alleged that he ignored her request. At the same time, a letter was leaked in which Sae Ron expressed her distress: “Oppa, it’s Sae Ron.
I received the content-certified letter. You’re suing me… I’ve been preparing for my return to acting, and I plan to repay you gradually from each project. Please give me time. I’m begging you, help me.” In the same period, Sae Ron posted and then deleted a photo on Instagram showing her and Kim Soo Hyun with their cheeks touching, which reignited the dating rumours.
Despite this, both Kim Soo Hyun and his agency denied any romantic involvement.
Kim Sae Ron’s Death
On February 16, 2025, Kim Sae Ron was found dead in her Seoul apartment in what appeared to be a suicide. Her death occurred on Kim Soo Hyun’s birthday, intensifying the media frenzy. Following her death, Garo Sero Research Institute released another video featuring Kim Sae Ron's aunt, who again claimed that the two had been secretly dating for six years, starting when she was a minor.
The channel also published a 2016 photo of Kim Soo Hyun kissing Kim Sae Ron on the cheek, further fueling the controversy.
Additionally, a text message from Kim Sae Ron to Kim Soo Hyun, dated March 19, 2024, was shared, in which she pleaded for more time to repay the debt.
Public and Legal Responses
Gold Medalist, Kim Soo Hyun's agency, eventually acknowledged that the two had been romantically involved but insisted that the relationship occurred after Kim Sae Ron had reached adulthood, from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020.
Luxury brand Prada also ended its collaboration with Kim Soo Hyun, citing the growing seriousness of the allegations.
Amid these developments, a private photo of Kim Soo Hyun was leaked online, showing him semi-naked. This prompted Gold Medalist to release a statement defending their actions, explaining that they had covered the costs of Sae Ron’s legal issues due to their formal obligation, but once it was confirmed that she could not repay the remaining debt, they had written it off in December 2023.
The agency emphasised that they were merely following legal procedures.
Legal Action
In response to the leaks and allegations, Gold Medalist filed a criminal lawsuit against the operator of Garo Sero Research Institute and members of Kim Sae Ron's family.
The charges included violations related to the distribution of explicit material, as the photo of Kim Soo Hyun was taken without his consent.
The agency's statement highlighted that the photo had been obtained and shared by the aunt and subsequently posted by Garo Sero Research.
Withdrawal of Condolence Payment
In a dramatic turn, Gold Medalist announced it would no longer offer a condolence payment to Kim Sae Ron's family, despite having initially planned to do so.
A source revealed that the agency had been considering a financial contribution but abandoned the idea after the controversial photo was leaked. They feared that any financial gesture could be misinterpreted as an admission of wrongdoing or an attempt to silence the opposing party.
As the situation continues to develop, the controversy surrounding Kim Soo Hyun, his relationship with Kim Sae Ron, and the legal battles involving both the actor and his agency remain unresolved, drawing intense media attention.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
