South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has denied allegations asserting he dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron during her underage years, as reported by inbusiness.kz citing Yonhap. The actor's agency, Gold Medalist, clarified on March 14, 2025, their relationship commenced when Kim Sae-ron reached adulthood and lasted until autumn 2020. The agency vehemently claimed, "Allegations about him meeting Kim when she was underage are untrue." This assertion marks a shift from their earlier strategy of waiting to respond to the mounting public pressure surrounding the issue.
This scandal erupted after YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, also known as GaSeYeon, alleged on March 10, 2025, the two were involved romantically for six years, starting when Kim Sae-ron was just 15. Gold Medalist initially threatened legal action against such claims but faced backlash when GaSeYeon countered with photographs purportedly depicting the actors together. Yet, Gold Medalist has maintained these images were taken only after Kim Sae-ron became of age.
The sudden urgency to correct misinformation from the agency appears to stem from Kim Soo-hyun's deteriorated mental health linked to intense media scrutiny and claims of his potential involvement in Kim Sae-ron's untimely death, which has influenced public sentiment against him significantly. The pressures led to significant anxiety, prompting Gold Medalist to expedite their official communication.
Kim Soo-hyun's agency outlined, "For Kim, it is excessively painful to endure such anguish concerning his private life. It is also unjustly interfering with the life of the deceased actress and damaging her reputation." They reiterated their point about the timeline of the relationship and denied accusations surrounding financial dealings linked to Kim Sae-ron's drunk driving incident.
According to Gold Medalist, comments surrounding their financial interactions were strictly between Kim Sae-ron and the agency and had nothing to do with Kim Soo-hyun personally. They asserted all debts were settled without any obligation placed on Kim Sae-ron.
Meanwhile, the public response to Kim Soo-hyun’s allegations has resulted in the cancellation of contracts with brands like Prada. This reflects the intense scrutiny placed upon his career, as the backlash grows against both him and any brands associated with him.
Following his agency's statement, Kim Soo-hyun’s psychological state is under close watch, as they revealed he is suffering severe distress from the relentless media frenzy. The agency reported, "Today, Kim Soo-hyun was especially unstable, leading us to take necessary precautions to help him during this challenging period." The agency seeks to clarify the timeline, maintaining they only began their relationship after Kim Sae-ron had reached adulthood. Evidence supporting their timeline includes items such as specific photos and garments linked to the time they were involved.
Kim Sae-ron's mother has since come forward, addressing the situation after the tragic death of her daughter. Speaking to GaSeYeon, she detailed the harassment her daughter faced from public scrutiny and media speculation. Her emotional statement emphasized how false narratives and rumors exacerbated the young actress's sense of isolation, leading to her eventual tragic demise. She blamed cyberbullies and media for creating unbearable pressure on her daughter.
"She never lied to the press or sought to dodge her reality, but instead became the target of relentless rumors and harsh public criticism," she stated. The mother expressed anguish over the media’s failure to protect her daughter, accusing them of perpetuating falsehoods and fueling public condemnation without fact-checking.
The family's hope is for legislation to be enacted preventing similar tragedies from occurring, advocating for media accountability when reporting about individuals' personal lives. They call for serious reflection on how social media outlets can perpetuate harm.
Kim Sae-ron, born in 2000, had her promising acting career cut short by tragic circumstances. She rose to fame with notable roles and continued working until legal troubles ensued following drunk driving charges and subsequent public backlash, effectively aliening her from the industry.
The family pleads for change, hoping to protect future victims of similar public harassment, as they find themselves entangled not only in grief over their lost daughter but also enduring the damages brought on by public discourse. “The tragedy of Kim Sae-ron reflects broader societal issues on the ethics of media reporting, especially related to mental health and the vulnerable,” they remarked.
With conflicting accounts shaping narratives on social media, the public remains divided, as updates develop, it remains to be seen how the industry will respond. Both Gold Medalist and the family face the challenge of not just addressing the fallout from this scandal but also the deeply entrenched cultural issues it has highlighted.