In a shocking revelation, YouTuber Lee Jin-ho has stirred controversy by claiming that the late actress Kim Sae-ron had secretly married an American man prior to her death. The allegations come amidst a turbulent time for the actress's family, who are dealing with the aftermath of her passing and have even filed defamation charges against Jin-ho.
On March 20, 2025, Jin-ho uploaded a video titled "Shocking Exclusive! The Truth That Kim Sae-Ron’s Bereaved Family Hid" to his popular channel, 'Entertainment Behind Story Lee Jin-ho'. This video dives into the unfolding narrative surrounding Kim Sae-ron, particularly focusing on her alleged marriage and some of the circumstances that led to her untimely demise.
Earlier this year, on January 8, Kim Sae-ron ignited rumors of a possible marriage when she posted an enigmatic photo to her social media with the caption "Marry" alongside images featuring a man. Initially, her representatives dismissed these claims as mere snapshots with friends. However, Jin-ho claims to have uncovered deeper truths, sharing what he describes as incriminating logs from conversations involving Kim Sae-ron and her representatives, suggesting confirmation of a marriage.
Included in his video was a purported transcript of a conversation where a female voice, likely Kim Sae-ron, acknowledges the marriage, stating, "Yes, it is true that we got married abroad," when prompted by an agency official about the ceremony. Jin-ho alleges this shocking revelation contradicts previous denials regarding Kim’s marital status.
Furthermore, Jin-ho claims Kim Sae-ron had been under significant pressure surrounding her relationship with this unnamed man, alleging interactions of a violent nature. He cited a conversation from February 16, coinciding with Kim's death, where a friend of hers describes concerning incidents that raise alarms about possible abuse.
In the clip, the friend recounted, "She expressed that her husband was violent and had been blackmailing her, showing images of injuries inflicted during their troubled relationship." This disturbing narrative casts a new light on the factors that might have contributed to Kim’s mental health struggles before her passing.
While these videos have attracted a fair share of viewers and sparked discussion online, they have also faced backlash. Users criticized Jin-ho for probing into intimate details of the actress’s life and for allegedly exploiting her death for views. One user lamented, "This is no way to honor someone’s memory. How can we trust the truth behind these claims when they come from someone like him?"
Meanwhile, Kim Sae-ron’s family has responded to these allegations with outrage. They have formally sued Jin-ho for defamation, stating that they have never been aware of Kim being married or having experienced such troubling events in her life. An official for the family emphasized, “We were completely unaware of any marriage or abusive relationship. It pains us to see her memory tarnished in this manner.”
The situation escalated further when her legal representatives announced plans for digital forensics of Kim’s mobile device to contest the veracity of Jin-ho's claims. The family aims to refute the swirling rumors of underage dating previously associated with Kim’s ex-boyfriend, particularly actor Kim Soo-hyun.
In one of his earlier videos, Jin-ho had brought forth accusations that Kim Sae-ron had been under financial pressure from her agency, leading to claims that her health emergencies were neglected by her family. “The agency covered her hospital bills after numerous suicide attempts,” Jin-ho claimed, asserting that the family showed no support. This claim drew intense scrutiny, as many felt it was an invasion of privacy and a malicious attack on a grieving family.
Jin-ho found himself caught in a web of accusations, as social media reactions ranged from concern for Kim’s memory to outright condemnation of Jin-ho’s actions. Critics pointed out, “This behavior disrespects Kim Sae-ron’s memory. By bringing forth these allegations, you are only causing further hurt.”
Through a growing number of uploads, Lee Jin-ho has positioned himself as a self-appointed investigator into the late actress's life, but his revelations have not sat well with many. The issues stemming from his videos reflect broader societal challenges around mental health, the treatment of public figures, and the responsibilities of content creators to respect the privacy of the deceased and their families.
As this situation progresses, many are left to ponder the ethical implications surrounding the public consumption of tragic stories. Questions are being raised about the need for caution and sensitivity in media portrayals of people—a need now more pressing than ever in light of Kim Sae-ron’s passing.
The latest updates emphasize the volatile mix of fame, personal strife, and the darker sides of the entertainment industry. As more details arise regarding Kim Sae-ron’s final days and the truth behind claims of her marriage, fans and the public await clarity in the evolving narrative of a beloved actress's life gone tragically too soon.
