Actor Kim Soo-hyun addressed allegations regarding his past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron during a press conference held on March 31, 2025, at the Stanford Hotel in Mapo-gu, Seoul. This marked his first public appearance since the claims surfaced, which suggested that he had dated Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor.
During the emotional press conference, Kim Soo-hyun acknowledged that he had indeed dated Kim Sae-ron but emphasized that their relationship began only after she had reached adulthood. He stated, "I am sorry. It seems that many people are suffering because of one person, me," expressing remorse for the turmoil surrounding the situation.
Kim Soo-hyun firmly denied the allegations that they had a relationship while Kim Sae-ron was underage, asserting, "I did not date the deceased when she was a minor." He further refuted claims made by Kim Sae-ron's family, which suggested that his agency had pressured her, leading to her tragic decisions. "That is not true," he stated, adding that he felt uneasy about the implications of the allegations.
In response to the claims made by Kim Sae-ron's family, Kim Soo-hyun's legal representative announced that they would file a defamation lawsuit against the family and the operator of the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Institute', seeking 120 billion won in damages. The actor's agency, Gold Medalist, initially denied the allegations but later clarified that Kim Soo-hyun had dated Kim Sae-ron from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after she had turned 18.
The controversy escalated following the tragic death of Kim Sae-ron, who was found dead in her apartment on March 16, 2025. Following her death, her family claimed that Kim Soo-hyun had manipulated the situation, suggesting that his actions contributed to her distress.
During the press conference, Kim Soo-hyun expressed his feelings of being overwhelmed by the public scrutiny, stating, "I thought of myself as a sissy. I think I was obsessed with protecting whatever I had." He explained that the pressures of fame made it difficult for him to navigate personal relationships, leading him to prioritize his image over honesty.
He also mentioned that he had difficulty contacting Kim Sae-ron after her drunk driving incident in 2022, as he felt it would be inappropriate given the circumstances. Kim Soo-hyun recalled, "I knew she was going through a hard time, and I was unsure how to reach out without causing further distress."
The allegations against Kim Soo-hyun gained traction after the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Institute' claimed that the two had been in a relationship for six years, beginning in 2015 when Kim Sae-ron was only 15 years old. The channel shared purported evidence, including text messages and photos, which they claimed supported their narrative.
In contrast, Kim Soo-hyun maintained that the evidence presented was manipulated. He stated, "The KakaoTalk conversations with Kim Sae-ron were heavily edited," suggesting that the claims were constructed to frame him unfairly. He added that he had submitted the conversations for forensic analysis, which concluded that the individuals in the chats were not the same person.
As the scandal unfolded, Kim Soo-hyun faced significant backlash from the public. His follower count on Instagram dropped by approximately one million in just two weeks, and several brands, including those in finance, food and beverage, and cosmetics, began to terminate or review their contracts with him. The anticipated release of his series 'Neon Office' on Disney Plus was also postponed.
Industry experts weighed in on the potential fallout from the scandal. Choi Jin-bong, a professor of Mass Communication at Sungkonghoe University, noted that while the entertainment industry has seen various controversies, a case involving a minor is particularly serious. "If the allegations are proven true, the repercussions could be substantial," he warned.
Lawyer Jang Yoon-mi expressed concern over the media's role in the situation, suggesting that the intense scrutiny could lead to another victim. "While I do not intend to defend anyone, the media's treatment of both Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun has been harsh, and we must consider the implications of such narratives," she stated.
As the investigation and legal proceedings continue, the future of Kim Soo-hyun's career remains uncertain. The public's reaction to the allegations and the subsequent fallout will likely shape the landscape of the South Korean entertainment industry for some time to come.
