South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has publicly refuted allegations made by the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron, who reportedly died by suicide earlier this year. Speaking emotionally at a press conference in Seoul, Kim expressed his innocence regarding the claims surrounding their past relationship, stating, "I can't admit to something I didn't do."
The controversy centers on two major accusations: that Kim Soo-hyun had a romantic relationship with Kim Sae-ron when she was only 15, and that his agency coerced her to repay a loan. Kim admitted to dating the actress for a year, but strongly emphasized that their relationship only began when she was an adult. This scandal has reverberated throughout the South Korean entertainment industry, where fans and media are closely scrutinizing the situation.
Kim described the tumultuous aftermath of Kim Sae-ron’s death, beginning from a bitter YouTube segment that ignited these allegations. He revealed that these claims surfaced shortly after the actress's passing, leading to a cascade of accusations from both her family and his camp. While his agency initially denied the claims, it later acknowledged the relationship began in 2019 when Kim Sae-ron was of legal age.
During the press conference, a visibly upset Kim apologized, acknowledging the distress caused to his fans and staff. He clarified that their relationship was akin to any typical couple's and categorically denied any connection to her tragic decision to end her life. Furthermore, he shared a recorded conversation with her representatives, which suggested that any request for debt repayment was merely procedural, urging Kim Sae-ron’s family to provide their own evidence for scrutiny.
As Kim Soo-hyun, a beloved figure in South Korea with a string of popular series and movies to his name, finds himself embroiled in this scandal, some brands have distanced themselves from him, marking a difficult period in his career, with planned projects facing delays. His agency has taken legal action against both Kim Sae-ron's family and online content creators, amounting to a civil suit for damages, while her family has yet to respond to these claims.
