On March 11, 2025, the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Institute' released a video titled "[Exclusive Coverage] 'Oppa, please save me' (Kim Sae-ron's message to Kim Soo-hyun)," shedding light on the late actress's troubling past relationships and controversies.
The video, presented by Kim Se-ui, featured strong criticisms directed at actor Kim Soo-hyun. Se-ui highlighted the fact about Go Young-wook, who was 19 years old at the time of his own controversies, questioning whether it was fair to distinguish him as a minor compared to Kim Sae-ron, who was only 15. Se-ui's inquiry demanded clarity over whether Kim Soo-hyun was aware of the age disparity when he was allegedly involved with Kim Sae-ron.
Evidence of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron's alleged romantic relationship included photos showing Kim Soo-hyun kissing Kim Sae-ron on the cheek, which surfaced during the video's publication. This supportive piece of evidence pointed to their close interactions, particularly noting Kim Sae-ron's age of 16 at the time the photo was taken.
One of the alarming revelations from the video involved the disclosure of messages sent by Kim Sae-ron to Kim Soo-hyun on March 19, 2024. Within the texts, she poignantly pleaded with him: “Oppa, it’s Sae-ron. I received the content confirmation and they are suing me. They promised to give me enough time to prepare, and I’m working hard to repay the amount gradually. I just want some time to resolve this…”
The worries surrounding Kim Sae-ron escalated significantly after she found herself ensnared in controversy due to a drunk driving incident back in 2022. During this tumultuous period, she was reportedly still involved with Kim Soo-hyun. At the time, his agency, Gold Medalist, allegedly stepped forward, offering to cover damages amounting to around 700 million won.
After Kim Sae-ron's exclusive contract with Gold Medalist expired, the agency unexpectedly sent her official documents demanding reimbursement of the same 700 million won. This financial pressure seemed to push Kim Sae-ron to repeatedly contact Kim Soo-hyun for help, but unfortunately, he failed to respond.
Frustrated, Kim Sae-ron resorted to uploading photos of their previous interactions, hoping to ignite interest and possibly soliciting support during her mounting troubles. Her contention was prefaced by Gold Medalist claiming the dating rumors were unfounded and attributing the photo’s origin to their shared time as part of the same agency, insisting they did not comprehend Kim Sae-ron’s motives.
Further intensifying the situation, Kim Se-ui released excerpts from unpublished messages where Kim Sae-ron expressed her intention to clarify the facts to their audience and acknowledge the impact of her actions on others. These messages suggested she felt compelled to articulate her experiences rather than remain silent.
According to the Garo Sero Institute, there is mounting pressure on Kim Soo-hyun to issue a public apology to Kim Sae-ron's family and agency before they reveal more incriminatory details. The message implied anticipatory scrutiny should he fail to act appropriately.
Developments surrounding this issue have coincidentally drawn parallels to Go Young-wook's long-simmering controversies during the same timeline. Recently, the narrative resurfaced surrounding Go Young-wook's criminal history stemming from sexual assault allegations against minors which were brought to the forefront on March 10, 2025, coinciding with the news about Kim Soo-hyun's connections with Kim Sae-ron.
Kim Soo-hyun has been accused of dating Kim Sae-ron starting from when she was only 15, marking her as underage at the time of their relationship. His agency, Gold Medalist, issued statements denouncing the rumors and communicated their intent to undertake legal actions against the spread of false information.
The media scrutiny reveals photographic evidence of Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun engaging affectionately, including fleeting text messages exchanged during their acquaintance. This alarming repetition of sensitive relationship themes unveils broader societal concerns about relationships involving minors, echoing the previous controversies of Go Young-wook.
While Go Young-wook determinedly attempts to reinstate his career following incarceration for multiple offenses against minors, the sustainability of his return remains uncertain. With the overlap of both stories generating heightened critiques, the emphasis on the importance of protecting minors has never been more pertinent.
Notably, Go Young-wook's past continues to haunt him with reminders of previous misconduct; he's been trying to revive his singing career on social media, drawing critiques about his moral standing after allegations resurfaced.
The dual drama ignites discourse around personal accountability, particularly as Kim Soo-hyun navigates through social media scrutiny fueled by these resurfacing narratives. Speculation continues as to how these revelations will play out for both him and Go Young-wook as they garner public sentiment.
The intertwining of personal narratives amid public scandals showcases the pressing need for dialogue on the treatment of minors and the surrounding protections within celebrity culture. With discussions focused on accountability growing, public figures are left to confront their histories as past actions come under renewed investigation.