Kim Soo-hyun and Late Kim Sae-ron's Families Clash Over Controversial Allegations

The families of actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron have issued conflicting statements, escalating their ongoing dispute. Kim Soo-hyun's representatives criticized the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' for spreading personal information and expressed a desire to meet with Kim Sae-ron's mother. In response, Kim Sae-ron's family urged her mother to contact them directly.
Previously, 'Garo Sero Research Institute' alleged that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor, claiming they dated for six years. They accused Kim Sae-ron's former agency, Gold Medalist, of pressuring her with a demand for 700 million KRW in damages related to a drunk driving incident. They also criticized Kim Soo-hyun for allegedly enabling this behavior.
Kim Sae-ron's mother and aunt, who were close to her, stated that Kim Soo-hyun portrayed her daughter as a liar and expressed a desire to restore her late daughter's honor.
In response, Kim Soo-hyun's side confirmed that they did date but clarified that their relationship lasted from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after Kim Sae-ron became an adult. They denied any claims of pressuring her regarding the damages, stating that the legal notice was part of a standard procedure following her drunk driving incident. Gold Medalist announced plans for strong legal action against the false allegations made by 'Garo Sero'.
On March 15, Gold Medalist condemned the release of a private photo of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, taken on December 14, 2019, stating there was no justification for such an invasion of privacy. They expressed sympathy for Kim Sae-ron's mother, acknowledging her immense pain after losing her daughter, while also highlighting that Kim Soo-hyun has been affected by the recent reports.
However, they noted that some of the claims made by Kim Sae-ron's mother differ from their perspective, suggesting that there may be information she is not aware of. They expressed a desire to meet with her to provide a thorough explanation.
Meanwhile, Kim Sae-ron's family reiterated their demands for a public apology from Kim Soo-hyun, including acknowledgment of their past relationship and the circumstances surrounding the legal notice regarding the damages. They emphasized that they seek no more than an official apology from him and his agency.
As the situation unfolds, Kim Soo-hyun's reputation is taking a hit, with several brands reportedly distancing themselves from him, including Prada and Dinto, while others have removed his images from their official social media accounts.