During a press conference in Seoul, South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun, 37, emotionally denied allegations of an underage romance with actress Kim Sae-ron.
The controversy erupted after Sae-ron’s apparent suicide in February, shaking the K-entertainment world. “I can’t admit to something I didn’t do,” Kim said tearfully, according to the BBC, insisting that their relationship lasted from 2019 to 2020—when she was an adult.
Kim described the relationship as ” ordinary,” primarily connected through their acting careers. However, a YouTube channel recently alleged that their romance began in 2016 when Sae-Ron was just 15 years old, supported by chat logs from that year provided by her family’s attorney (she was 16 then).
South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun denied allegations that he had any role in the suicide of actress Kim Sae-ron and said she was not a minor when they dated five years ago https://t.co/vLWvjyKp1W pic.twitter.com/44jTKPh9yF
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 31, 2025Kim also addressed the rumours while promoting his Netflix series, “Queen of Tears,” after Sae-ron shared and then deleted a photo of them together. He explained, “I wanted to shield the show.”
Kim dismissed claims his agency, GoldMedalist, pressured Sae-ron over a 2022 drunk-driving debt, playing a call to prove they gave her time. The scandal has cost him dearly—Prada and Dinto dropped him, and a Disney+ project stalled. His legal team filed complaints against Sae-ron’s family and the YouTube channel, seeking KRW12 billion ($8.1 million) in damages.
Trigger warning: This story involves mentioning suicide.
South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun on Monday denied allegations that he dated actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage, breaking down in tears as he said he could not "admit what is not true."
"I did not date the deceased… pic.twitter.com/p2a2nGAO49
— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) March 31, 2025Read: Kim Sae Ron’s Mother Demands Apology from Kim Soo Hyun
Once a beloved K-drama star, Kim now faces intense scrutiny. His emotional defense seeks to clear his name, but with conflicting timelines and serious fallout, the truth remains questionable as legal battles approach.
