Kim Soo-hyun Addresses Controversy Surrounding Late Kim Sae-ron
Actor Kim Soo-hyun (37) has publicly addressed the controversy regarding his relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron during a press conference held on March 31. He asserted that he did not engage in a romantic relationship with her while she was a minor, countering claims made by her family that they began dating in 2015 when she was just 15 years old. This statement comes 21 days after the allegations were first aired on the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소).
Kim Soo-hyun clarified that their relationship only began after Kim Sae-ron turned 19 in 2019 and lasted for about a year. He labeled some of the evidence presented by her family, including alleged messenger conversations, as fabricated. On the same day, Kim Soo-hyun's legal team filed a defamation lawsuit against the family and the operators of 'Garo Sero', seeking damages amounting to approximately 12 billion KRW.
During the emotional press conference, Kim appeared in a black suit without a tie, shedding tears as he expressed his feelings of injustice. He acknowledged the impact of the situation on his career, noting that the release of his new drama 'Nok Off' (넉오프) on Disney+ has been postponed, and some fans and brands have distanced themselves from him. He admitted to previously denying their relationship, stating, "I think of myself as a coward. I was always too focused on protecting what I had." He added that as a lead actor during the airing of 'Queen of Tears' (눈물의 여왕), he felt a significant responsibility, and if given the chance to go back, he would make the same choices again.
Kim Soo-hyun further expressed his frustration over the family's claims that he drove Kim Sae-ron to her death due to their past relationship. He mentioned that an analysis of the messenger conversations released by the family revealed discrepancies, indicating that the conversations from 2016 and 2018 were not with the same person. He suggested that the family's evidence might have been manipulated.
He also addressed allegations that he pressured Kim Sae-ron to repay 700 million KRW for damages incurred from a drunk driving incident, clarifying that the communication regarding this was merely a formal procedure. Kim Soo-hyun emphasized his commitment to thoroughly verifying all evidence through investigative agencies.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Kim did not take questions from the media, with his legal representative explaining that the ongoing legal proceedings necessitated this approach. The controversy has sparked discussions about the pressures faced by young celebrities and the lack of support from their agencies, particularly in the wake of Kim Sae-ron's tragic passing in February. Cultural critic Kim Heon-sik pointed out that many young entertainers, including Kim Sae-ron, have suffered due to inadequate protection from their agencies against online harassment and negative comments.
