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South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has publicly denied serious accusations made by the family of actress Kim Sae-ron, who tragically passed away in February. At a press conference held on Monday in Seoul, Kim Soo-hyun, tearfully denied the claims that he dated the late actress when she was underage and that his agency pressured her to repay a loan.
Kim Soo-hyun, 37, became emotional as he addressed the accusations during the press conference. He explained that he and Kim Sae-ron only dated when she was an adult, from 2019 to 2020. He stressed, “I never dated her when she was a minor,” and apologized to fans for the pain the controversy had caused. He also expressed regret that Kim Sae-ron, who had already suffered from online hate, couldn’t rest in peace due to these accusations.
The controversy began when a YouTube channel claimed that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron had a relationship while she was 15 years old. These claims were based on alleged chat history and photos that were later released. Kim Soo-hyun’s agency initially denied these allegations, clarifying that they only had a relationship during Kim Sae-ron’s adult years.
Kim Soo-hyun further explained that he had kept their relationship private, especially during the airing of his Netflix show Queen of Tears, to avoid causing disruptions to the production and the team involved. He revealed that his silence had been a protective measure for the project, emphasizing the intense scrutiny celebrities face in South Korea.
In addition to the dating allegations, Kim Soo-hyun was accused of pressuring Kim Sae-ron to repay a loan related to a drunk-driving incident in 2022, for which she was fined. Kim Soo-hyun vehemently denied these claims, stating that he never pressured her regarding the debt. He released a voice recording from a phone call between his agency and Kim Sae-ron’s representatives, where it was explained that the debt recovery process was just a formality.
Kim Soo-hyun also stated that Kim Sae-ron’s family manipulated the chat records used as evidence against him. He urged them to provide their evidence for verification. In response to the allegations, Kim Soo-hyun has filed a criminal complaint against the YouTube channel and Kim Sae-ron’s family, as well as a civil lawsuit for damages amounting to 12 billion won.
The scandal has affected Kim Soo-hyun's career, with brands like Prada and Dinto ending their collaborations with him. A Disney+ show featuring the actor has also been paused amid the controversy.
Kim Soo-hyun’s lawyer has confirmed they are pursuing legal action against those spreading false accusations, hoping to clear his name.
