Controversy Erupts Surrounding Kim Soo-Hyun After Kim Sae-Ron's Death

Controversy continues to swirl around popular South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun following the tragic death of actress Kim Sae-ron, as new allegations and revelations come to light.

On March 19, 2025, local media reported that Kim Soo-hyun’s participation in the upcoming Seven Eleven Day flower festival in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, was in jeopardy due to the ongoing scandal related to his past relationship with Kim Sae-ron. The festival, which kicks off today, was to feature a fan meeting with the actor, along with special merchandise bearing his likeness. An official from the organizing team indicated that they were proceeding with the schedule but would monitor the situation closely for necessary changes, keeping consumer interests in mind.

In anticipation of the event, Kim Soo-hyun had been slated to perform for approximately 40 minutes as part of the festival’s grand finale, where superstars from Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong were expected to gather. Unfortunately, the possibility of cancellation looms, with reports suggesting a hefty penalty of 30 million Taiwan dollars (around 132 million Korean won) for breaking the contract.

Since Kim Sae-ron’s death, which had been ruled a suicide on March 16, 2025, details surrounding her complex relationship with Kim Soo-hyun have resurfaced. His agency, Gold Medalist, has repeatedly denied accusations of a romantic relationship involving minors, clarifying that they were together only after Kim Sae-ron reached adulthood in 2019 and that there was no inappropriate conduct occurring prior to that. On March 14, 2025, representatives from Gold Medalist stated, “Any involvement with Kim Sae-ron during her time as a minor is completely false.”

However, controversy escalated with revelations emerging from the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, claiming to have shared surveillance videos purportedly showing Kim Soo-hyun visiting Kim Sae-ron’s home and interacting intimately over a span of six years. Despite strong denials from Kim Soo-hyun’s camp, some fans have remained supportive, illustrating a split within his fanbase.

Speculation heightened with discussions about the implications of Kim Soo-hyun’s agency facing serious backlash: in a recent commentary, legal expert Yim Joo-hye highlighted that contracts often involve strict confidentiality and conduct clauses, warning that any social controversy could lead to significant penalties not just from festivals but from production houses, possibly reaching hundreds of billions of won.

In the midst of the turmoil, Kim Soo-hyun’s fans have displayed notable support. Various fans took to social media to voice their admiration for him, praising their idol's previous warmth and kindness towards Kim Sae-ron. Some even remarked on how sweetly he treated her, despite the allegations, which has resulted in a fascinating contrast of public sentiment.

Additionally, the bereaved family of Kim Sae-ron has been vocally demanding accountability from Kim Soo-hyun. During a press conference held on March 17, they reiterated claims that Kim Sae-ron had expressed concerns about their relationship, urging Kim Soo-hyun to give a formal apology for his previous statements denying their involvement while she was a minor. They reported instances where she sought guidance from her family, worried about the dynamics of her relationship with him.

A representative from Kim Sae-ron’s family announced plans to forensically analyze her phone, aiming to substantiate the timeline of their relationship, particularly concerning messages exchanged between the two. As part of their assertion, they claimed to have uncovered messages where Kim Soo-hyun advised her to transition from KakaoTalk to Telegram, raising suspicions about potential secretive communications.

“Kim Sae-ron was seen struggling with her feelings about Kim Soo-hyun, and at the same time asking for advice from her family shows her distress regarding the situation,” remarked attorney Kwon Young-chan, representing the bereaved family, during the press conference.

While the controversy continues to escalate, the future remains uncertain for Kim Soo-hyun concerning his career trajectory, sponsorships, and public image. His agency has established a crisis management protocol, including consultations with legal advisors and public relations experts. The undeniable impact of Kim Sae-ron's tragic end on Kim Soo-hyun and the overarching public response will determine further developments.

As fans, media, and public maintain the spotlight on this complicated narrative of fame, mental health issues, and responses to grief, the urgency for clarity in this sensitive situation grows. Whether Kim Soo-hyun can navigate through this controversy effectively remains to be seen with various stakeholders closely watching the unfolding events.