SEOUL – Kim Soo-hyun, the star of the hit series "Queen of Tears," is facing mounting backlash following allegations linking him romantically to the late actress Kim Sae-ron. The controversy stirred up when the far-right YouTube channel HoverLab published allegations claiming the two had engaged in a relationship spanning six years, starting when Kim Sae-ron was just 15 years old and Kim Soo-hyun was 27.
The allegations first surfaced on March 10, 2025, and quickly spread like wildfire across social media platforms. HoverLab's claim included purported testimonies from Kim Sae-ron's family and evidence of text messages purportedly sent by the actress, begging for more time to repay significant debts she owed.
Responding to the accusations, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, issued a strong denial of the claims, labeling them "clearly false and baseless." They emphasized their intention to take legal action against HoverLab for disseminators of what they termed malicious rumors.
"We will release a statement based on hard evidence to set the truth straight... We apologize for the exhaustion due to this issue," Gold Medalist stated on March 13. The agency has faced public scrutiny following the tragic death of Kim Sae-ron, who was found dead from suicide on February 16, 2025, at the age of 24.
The allegations became more pointed when HoverLab claimed to verify their statements through Kim Sae-ron's family, including sharing audio interviews and visuals like photos depicting Kim Soo-hyun kissing Kim Sae-ron on the cheek. These revelations intensified discussions about Kim’s influence over the young actress, particularly following her 2022 DUI incident, which heavily impacted her career.
After her drunk driving incident, which resulted in her crashing her car and causing widespread outages, Kim Sae-ron struggled with career fallout and faced significant financial burdens. Reports indicate she owed around 700 million won (approximately $482,000) as compensation related to damages from her accident. Amid her struggles, it was reported she sought financial help from Kim Soo-hyun, who allegedly lent her money.
More drama unfolded as text messages allegedly surfaced, with Kim Sae-ron reaching out to Kim Soo-hyun, stating, "Oppa, it’s Sae Ron... Please give me some time. I’m begging you, please help me.” This message, coupled with claims from HoverLab about the nature of their relationship, has ignited fierce condemnation of Kim Soo-hyun on social media platforms.
The timing of these revelations became particularly controversial as netizens pointed out the coincidence of Kim Sae-ron's death coinciding with what was also Kim Soo-hyun's birthday. The actor did not attend her funeral, sparking additional public outrage. Criticism poured onto old posts by Kim Soo-hyun, including one shared on February 16 where he thanked fans for their well-wishes on his birthday.
The backlash against Kim Soo-hyun has been palpable, with many fans calling for boycotts and for brands to distance themselves from him. Reports surfaced of several brands, including Tous les Jours and K2 Korea, pulling advertisements featuring the actor and reassessing their partnership strategies.
A growing number of fans and former supporters took to social media, expressing discontent with the allegations and the manner of their resurfacing. One fan, who managed a social media account with over 460,000 followers, announced their departure, stating: "To the actor I once admired, goodbye." The outpouring of dissatisfaction has perplexed many, particularly considering Kim Soo-hyun's prior popularity as one of South Korea's leading actors.
The situation has put Gold Medalist under severe scrutiny, with viewers flooding the message boards of various programs, calling for Kim Soo-hyun's removal from upcoming projects. The agency has indicated it will prepare the strongest possible legal actions against the allegations made by HoverLab, which has been labeled as unreliable, having faced several lawsuits and defamation rulings against it previously.
HoverLab, which began as politically driven commentary, has attracted attention not only for its claims but also for its controversial history of disseminated content ruled false or defamatory by courts. Earlier this year, the channel was ordered to pay damages to former Justice Minister Cho Kuk and his family for defamation.
This latest scandal surrounding Kim Soo-hyun has only served to deepen the discourse about the responsibilities of public figures concerning their private lives, particularly when intertwined with young, vulnerable individuals striving for success.
The public awaits Kim Soo-hyun's forthcoming statement. While Gold Medalist assured fans and supporters of their efforts to clarify the situation, the damage to the actor's reputation and career has already begun to manifest, leaving many questions about both future professional projects and public perception.