Kim Sae-ron’s tragic death has sent shockwaves through South Korea, and the fallout is far from over. Actor Kim Soo-hyun is now at the center of a firestorm, accused of starting a secret romance with her when she was just 15.
Kim Soo-hyun, known for hit dramas like “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” and “Queen of Tears”, is fighting back. In a tear-filled press conference, he denied all grooming accusations and claimed the relationship started only after Kim Sae-ron turned 19.
However, the public is not convinced, especially after Kim Sae-ron’s family dropped what they called “proof” of a much longer, and much darker, past.
Who Were Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun?
Kim Sae-ron’s rise to fame began early. She starred in the 2010 film “The Man from Nowhere” and became one of Korea’s top child actors. But after a DUI in 2022, her career took a sharp turn. Jobs disappeared. Brands dropped her. And trolls online didn’t let up.
However, the allegations tied to Kim Sae-ron’s death might just change everything.
The Claims That Sparked the Scandal
The controversy exploded after Kim Sae-ron’s family and the YouTube channel Garo Sero Yeonguso made bombshell claims. They said Kim Soo-hyun had a secret six-year relationship with her, starting when she was just 15 and he was 27.
They released what they claimed were damning receipts: a handwritten letter from 2018, blurry couple photos, and messages showing her begging for financial help. It painted a picture of a young girl caught in a hidden, dangerous relationship.
Kim Soo-hyun hit back hard. He admitted to dating Kim Sae-ron for one year (from 2019 to 2020) but insisted it only started after she became a legal adult. He called the claims “malicious lies” and said the so-called evidence was fake or taken out of context.
Kim Sae-ron’s Death and the Fallout
Kim Sae-ron’s suicide on February 16, 2025, on Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday, was heartbreaking. Her family said she was crushed by debt and emotional pressure. They blamed GoldMedalist, Kim’s agency, for hounding her to repay nearly half a million dollars after her DUI crash.
But the agency fired back. Kim Soo-hyun even released a recorded phone call showing they offered Kim Sae-ron flexible repayment options. He insisted he had no role in her death.
He apologized for denying their adult relationship in the past, saying he was protecting his drama “Queen of Tears”.
His confession sparked mixed reactions. Some saw a man trying to tell the truth, while others saw someone scrambling to protect his image.
Legal Fight and Career Crash
The fallout came fast. Kim Soo-hyun filed defamation lawsuits against Garo Sero Yeonguso and Kim Sae-ron’s family, demanding $8.1 million in damages. He said the lies wrecked his career.
Big brands dropped him. Prada, Dinto, and others pulled sponsorships. Disney+ halted production on his new show. His once-solid career is now hanging by a thread.
The evidence has been hotly debated. Kim Sae-ron’s side pointed to 2016 photos showing a kiss and 2023 texts pleading for debt forgiveness. That would place their relationship starting years before Kim Soo-hyun admits.