South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun publicly denied accusations made by the family of actress Kim Sae-ron at a press conference in Seoul on March 31, 2025.
The 37-year-old actor addressed claims that he dated Kim Sae-ron when she was underage and that his agency pressured her to repay a loan.
“I can’t admit to something I didn’t do,” Kim said at the conference.
Kim stated he was being pressured to confess to actions he never committed, including manipulating the deceased when she was a minor and driving her to her death through financial pressure.
The controversy started on March 10, 2025, shortly after Kim Sae-ron’s death in February, when a YouTube channel claimed the two had dated for six years, beginning when she was 15.
An attorney for Kim Sae-ron’s family recently presented chat history allegedly between the two actors from 2016, when she was 16.
Kim Soo-hyun confirmed he dated the actress but only between 2019 and 2020, when she was an adult.
He explained his previous denial of their relationship in March 2024 when Kim Sae-ron posted a photo of them together during the airing of Netflix show “Queen of Tears.”
“I had so much to protect as its lead actor. What would have happened if I had admitted to a year-long relationship?” Kim said.
The second allegation involves claims that GoldMedalist, the agency co-founded by Kim’s relative that represented both actors, pressured Kim Sae-ron to repay a debt, contributing to her suicide.
The family alleged the agency covered compensation for her 2022 drink-driving incident, which resulted in a 20 million won (S$18,200) fine.
Kim denied these claims and released a voice recording of a phone call from a year ago, allegedly between his agency and Kim Sae-ron’s representative, indicating flexibility regarding debt repayment.
He accused Kim Sae-ron’s family of fabricating KakaoTalk conversations presented as evidence.
Kim’s legal representative announced that Kim Soo-hyun and GoldMedalist have filed a defamation lawsuit against Kim Sae-ron’s family, a woman claiming to be Kim Sae-ron’s aunt, and the operator of HoverLab YouTube channel.
They are seeking approximately 12 billion won (S$10.9 million) in damages with the Seoul Central District Court.
Several brands have distanced themselves from Kim amid the controversy. Fashion brand Prada and Korean cosmetic brand Dinto ended their collaborations with him in March 2025.
A Disney+ show starring Kim has also been paused due to the scandal.
During the press conference, fans showed support with messages displayed on a truck parked outside the hotel, including “Cyberbullying has already taken too many victims. How many more?” and “Words have power.”
