Kim Sae-ron's Family Demands Public Apology from Kim Soo-hyun and Others

The family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has reiterated their demand for a public apology from actor Kim Soo-hyun, his agency Gold Medalist, and YouTuber A, emphasizing that they seek nothing but an official apology. On March 15, the family released a statement through the YouTube channel 가세연 (Gaseyeon). This follows urgent official statements from Gold Medalist on March 14 and 15.

The family is requesting four specific apologies: 1. An acknowledgment of Kim Soo-hyun's alleged relationship with Kim Sae-ron since her teenage years, claiming they dated for over six years starting when she was 15; 2. A retraction of Gold Medalist's previous claims that they had not been in a relationship for the past three years; 3. Recognition of Kim Sae-ron's contributions as a founding member of the company; and 4. An apology regarding the demand for repayment of 700 million won.

The family clarified that their mention of Kim Soo-hyun was intended as a warning against cyber defamation, stating, "We do not seek anything other than an official apology from Kim Soo-hyun and his agency. To prove the falsehood of the cyber defamation, we had no choice but to reveal a photo of Kim Soo-hyun."

In a controversial move, 가세연 released a photo purportedly showing a man believed to be Kim Soo-hyun washing dishes at Kim Sae-ron's home while partially undressed. They added that he was not wearing pants. The family explained that the photo was released to counter false claims made by YouTuber A, but this has raised concerns about privacy violations.

Despite the family's consent to release the photo, many view it as an inappropriate breach of privacy, especially since it was taken during Kim Sae-ron's adult relationship with Kim Soo-hyun. Previously, Kim Soo-hyun's side denied their relationship, but in a statement released on March 14, they acknowledged dating Kim Sae-ron, specifying the relationship lasted from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after she became an adult.

Responses to the situation vary, with some arguing that Kim Soo-hyun brought this upon himself and that Kim Sae-ron's side may have more evidence to present.

Gold Medalist expressed concern in a statement on March 15, stating, "We believe that publicly debating this matter is inappropriate for both the late actress and her mother, who have been seeking ways to restore her honor." They indicated they are awaiting contact from the family. Amidst this ongoing conflict, several brands that had contracts with Kim Soo-hyun have already distanced themselves due to the controversy.