The dispute between actor Kim Soo Hyun and the family of the late Kim Sae Ron has escalated into a battle over truth and credibility. However, Kim Soo Hyun’s response to the controversy has failed to dispel public skepticism.
The controversy primarily revolves around three key issues: allegations of a relationship when Kim Sae Ron was a minor, a 700 million KRW debt dispute, and conflicting statements regarding their dating history.
Kim Sae Ron’s family and the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute (Garo Sero Yeon Gu So, abbreviated as Gaseyeon) claim that the two have been in a relationship since 2015, when Kim was 15 years old. As evidence, they presented old photographs and letters exchanged between the two. However, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency denied the allegations, stating that their relationship only began in 2019, after Kim Sae Ron became an adult. The agency further argued that the disputed photos were taken in 2019, as verified through metadata analysis.
Despite these clarifications, the public remains unconvinced. Questions persist about whether Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were simply senior-junior acquaintances in 2015, what the letters he sent her during his military service implied, and whether it was coincidental or deliberate that their romantic relationship reportedly started as soon as she reached adulthood in 2019.
Regarding the letter controversy, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency explained that it was merely a casual note written to close acquaintances during his military service. The phrase “I miss you” was described as a common expression among soldiers, dismissing any deeper significance.
However, industry insiders argue that the real issue lies elsewhere. "What the public is questioning is not just whether they officially dated in 2019, but rather how close their relationship was in 2015," an entertainment official commented. "Simply asserting that the romance began in 2019 does little to dispel suspicions."
The 700 million KRW debt controversy has also raised further debate. Kim Soo Hyun’s agency insists that he never pressured Kim Sae Ron for repayment and that the certified legal notice was merely a procedural measure, not an actual demand for repayment. They also stated that Kim Soo Hyun was unaware of the financial dispute when Kim Sae Ron sent him a desperate text message.
However, public sentiment has focused on a different aspect. Kim Sae Ron’s text read, “Do we have to go to court? Please help me. Give me more time.” Critics argue that Kim Soo Hyun ignored a desperate plea from his former partner, despite their history.
The agency clarified that Kim Soo Hyun had inquired with his company regarding the message and decided to hold off on responding, believing that Kim Sae Ron misunderstood legal procedures. They stated that he intended to consult legal experts before taking any action.
Nonetheless, public opinion remains fixated on how Kim Soo Hyun personally reacted to her plea. The debate has shifted beyond legal responsibility to moral accountability, fueling ongoing criticism.
Further controversy stems from the agency’s inconsistent stance on their past relationship. In March 2024, when Kim Sae Ron posted and later deleted a photo of Kim Soo Hyun, triggering dating rumors, his agency denied the rumors entirely. At the time, they claimed that the picture was taken when they were under the same agency, adding, "We have no idea what Kim Sae Ron’s intentions were in posting the image." Later, however, they changed their stance, admitting that the two had dated from summer 2019 to fall 2020.
This reversal has fueled speculation that the initial denial was an attempt to cover up the relationship. The abrupt dismissal of the rumors led Kim Sae Ron to bear the brunt of the public backlash, particularly since she was already struggling financially at the time. Some speculate that her deleted post was a subtle signal directed at Kim Soo Hyun, raising questions about whether his immediate and categorical denial was the best course of action.
An industry expert weighed in, stating, "If Kim Soo Hyun continues to focus solely on proving that he did nothing illegal, the suspicions will not fade. What the public wants is not just legal justifications, but also an explanation and apology that they can emotionally resonate with."
Meanwhile, criticism is mounting against Gaseyeon for continuously releasing private photos of Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron. Many argue that the repeated exposure of the deceased actress’s personal life is ethically questionable. While uncovering the truth is important, some question whether such an invasion of privacy is justifiable.
Sayart / ReaA JUNG, queen7203@gmail.com
Courtesy of the actor's instagram
The dispute between actor Kim Soo Hyun and the family of the late Kim Sae Ron has escalated into a battle over truth and credibility. However, Kim Soo Hyun’s response to the controversy has failed to dispel public skepticism.
The controversy primarily revolves around three key issues: allegations of a relationship when Kim Sae Ron was a minor, a 700 million KRW debt dispute, and conflicting statements regarding their dating history.
Kim Sae Ron’s family and the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute (Garo Sero Yeon Gu So, abbreviated as Gaseyeon) claim that the two have been in a relationship since 2015, when Kim was 15 years old. As evidence, they presented old photographs and letters exchanged between the two. However, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency denied the allegations, stating that their relationship only began in 2019, after Kim Sae Ron became an adult. The agency further argued that the disputed photos were taken in 2019, as verified through metadata analysis.
Despite these clarifications, the public remains unconvinced. Questions persist about whether Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were simply senior-junior acquaintances in 2015, what the letters he sent her during his military service implied, and whether it was coincidental or deliberate that their romantic relationship reportedly started as soon as she reached adulthood in 2019.
Regarding the letter controversy, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency explained that it was merely a casual note written to close acquaintances during his military service. The phrase “I miss you” was described as a common expression among soldiers, dismissing any deeper significance.
However, industry insiders argue that the real issue lies elsewhere. "What the public is questioning is not just whether they officially dated in 2019, but rather how close their relationship was in 2015," an entertainment official commented. "Simply asserting that the romance began in 2019 does little to dispel suspicions."
The 700 million KRW debt controversy has also raised further debate. Kim Soo Hyun’s agency insists that he never pressured Kim Sae Ron for repayment and that the certified legal notice was merely a procedural measure, not an actual demand for repayment. They also stated that Kim Soo Hyun was unaware of the financial dispute when Kim Sae Ron sent him a desperate text message.
However, public sentiment has focused on a different aspect. Kim Sae Ron’s text read, “Do we have to go to court? Please help me. Give me more time.” Critics argue that Kim Soo Hyun ignored a desperate plea from his former partner, despite their history.
The agency clarified that Kim Soo Hyun had inquired with his company regarding the message and decided to hold off on responding, believing that Kim Sae Ron misunderstood legal procedures. They stated that he intended to consult legal experts before taking any action.
Nonetheless, public opinion remains fixated on how Kim Soo Hyun personally reacted to her plea. The debate has shifted beyond legal responsibility to moral accountability, fueling ongoing criticism.
Further controversy stems from the agency’s inconsistent stance on their past relationship. In March 2024, when Kim Sae Ron posted and later deleted a photo of Kim Soo Hyun, triggering dating rumors, his agency denied the rumors entirely. At the time, they claimed that the picture was taken when they were under the same agency, adding, "We have no idea what Kim Sae Ron’s intentions were in posting the image." Later, however, they changed their stance, admitting that the two had dated from summer 2019 to fall 2020.
This reversal has fueled speculation that the initial denial was an attempt to cover up the relationship. The abrupt dismissal of the rumors led Kim Sae Ron to bear the brunt of the public backlash, particularly since she was already struggling financially at the time. Some speculate that her deleted post was a subtle signal directed at Kim Soo Hyun, raising questions about whether his immediate and categorical denial was the best course of action.
An industry expert weighed in, stating, "If Kim Soo Hyun continues to focus solely on proving that he did nothing illegal, the suspicions will not fade. What the public wants is not just legal justifications, but also an explanation and apology that they can emotionally resonate with."
Meanwhile, criticism is mounting against Gaseyeon for continuously releasing private photos of Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron. Many argue that the repeated exposure of the deceased actress’s personal life is ethically questionable. While uncovering the truth is important, some question whether such an invasion of privacy is justifiable.
