In a series of unfolding dramas surrounding the late Kim Sae-ron, YouTuber Lee Jin-ho has found himself at the center of controversy after being accused of defamation by her bereaved family. On March 20, 2025, Lee Jin-ho denied the allegations made against him and the claims made by the Garosero Institute, stating, "The accusation is a big injustice." Notably, A, who claims to be Kim Sae-ron's relative, engaged in a social media flurry surrounding the nature of her relationship with Kim Soo-hyun while she was still a minor.
Lee Jin-ho's YouTube channel, 'Entertainment President Lee Jin-ho,' stocked with provocative titles like 'Shocking Exclusive Kim Sae-ron's relatives hide the truth' and 'Kim Sae-ron's birth record—January 8 marriage theory,' features critical screen recordings from a conversation on January 8, 2025. He presented this as evidence in proclaiming his truth amidst the turmoil.
During his address to the public, Lee stated, "It hasn't been a month since the deceased passed away, but they are still in the midst of fierce controversy in society. The problem of the bereaved family members who are pointing at me. Who can be calm in front of the fact that someone died? I still have a comfortable heart for the deceased as a heretic." His claims attempted to stir a counter-narrative against the accusations he faces, but reactions to his public statements have been polarized.
Critics have made pointed remarks about the motivations behind the release of Lee Jin-ho's recordings, claiming it distracts from the more pressing discussions about the alleged relationship between Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun, which reportedly began when Kim Sae-ron was just 15 years old.
On March 17, 2025, the bereaved family formally reported Lee Jin-ho to the police, leading to an investigation assigned to the Seodaemun Police Station by the 18th. As the legal implications loom, the embattled YouTuber insists he must clear his name, significantly heightening public curiosity about the nature of his videos.
Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun remains embroiled in the public eye as backlash continues regarding his alleged past relationship with Kim Sae-ron. Following the troubling claims about their relationship, his appearance on the show 'Good Day' has been postponed for a week, with those changes aimed at program reorganization.
On March 20, 2025, the 'Good Day' production team announced, "The broadcast of 'Good Day' episode 6, scheduled for March 23, has been postponed for a week due to program reorganization." This delay is presumed to be linked directly to the ongoing controversy, surfacing from Kim Soo-hyun's reported dating history with the late Kim Sae-ron. Speculation peaked after his agency released a statement on March 10 insisting the dating rumors were unfounded.
As the momentum of criticism mounted, Kim Soo-hyun's agency reaffirmed their stance, stating, "It is a groundless false fact. We are planning to review the strongest possible legal action against the spread of false facts." They have now acknowledged a prior timeline, claiming the pair dated from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, while denying any romantic involvement during the time Kim Sae-ron was underage.
The tension extended to Kim Soo-hyun's brand endorsements, particularly as several Chinese companies have publicly severed ties with him in light of the scandal. A prominent Chinese electronics corporation, QooQoo Electronics, declared on March 18, 2025, that it has halted all promotional activities involving Kim. In their statement, they emphasized that the decision followed "careful consideration" and was aimed at protecting brand value and responding to market feedback.
Simultaneously, Kim Soo-hyun was placed in risk of missing a key promotional event in Kaohsiung due to ongoing negotiations and fallout from the scandal. Scheduled for March 30, the event was tied to Seven & Eleven, with hosting changes now made due to Kim's tarnished image. This risked substantial penalties for breach of contract that estimates suggested could reach up to 30 million won (over 100,000 dollars).
Despite his agency's efforts to contain the situation, the fallout continues, as Kim Sae-ron's family has also announced their own quest for truth via forensic examination of images purported to depict their daughter with Kim Soo-hyun during her youth. The mobile landscape is littered with accusations and counterclaims, with both parties passionately asserting their narratives. As accusations of actively distorting the truth roll in, the late actress’s relatives have expressed their aim to clear her name through forthcoming legal actions.
This tangled web of accusations comes in light of Kim Sae-ron's tragic passing, which has left many questions lingering unanswered. On February 16, 2025, she was found dead at the age of 25, intensifying public scrutiny over her past relationships and their implications.
While Kim Soo-hyun and Lee Jin-ho scramble to defend their narratives in the ongoing saga, it remains to be seen how this volatile situation will conclude. Attention remains fixed not only on their statements but also on the growing chorus of voices demanding transparency and justice for Kim Sae-ron's legacy.
The battle for narrative control and public perception in the light of grief and controversy entangles all involved, underlining the stakes in a convoluted drama that has captivated public interest.
