Kim Soo-hyun Faces Controversy Over Alleged Underage Relationship with Late Actress Kim Sae-ron

Actor Kim Soo-hyun finds himself in a challenging predicament as he navigates allegations regarding a past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor at the time. Whether he acknowledges or denies the claims, he faces significant scrutiny, especially following the release of shocking video evidence.

On March 27, the legal representative for Kim Sae-ron's family, attorney Bu Ji-seok from the law firm Bu-yu, held a press conference in Seoul's Seocho District. During this event, they presented evidence suggesting that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor.

The family of the late actress previously claimed that she had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun for six years, starting at the age of 15. The YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소) also released photos, allegedly taken during their relationship, with the family's consent. Kim Soo-hyun's side has admitted to the relationship but insists that they only dated for one year after Kim Sae-ron turned 18, denying any involvement while she was still a minor.

As the allegations of an inappropriate relationship, often referred to as 'grooming,' gained traction, the family provided forensic evidence of mobile messages exchanged between the two. The messages, dating back to 2016 when Kim Sae-ron was 17, suggest a romantic relationship rather than mere friendship. Attorney Bu Ji-seok stated that they possess the original messages and reconstructed them for privacy reasons.

In one exchange, Kim Sae-ron texted Kim Soo-hyun, "Do you want to see me or not?" to which he replied, "You? Wouldn't I want to see you?" Their conversation continued with affectionate banter, indicating a deeper connection. In another message, Kim Soo-hyun expressed a desire to hold her while sleeping, to which Kim Sae-ron responded positively.

Additionally, a handwritten letter from Kim Sae-ron, written in April of last year, was revealed, stating, "Our time together has been about 5-6 years. Since you are my first and last love, I hope you won't avoid me." This letter supports the family's claims of a relationship from 2015 until their breakup in 2021.

When asked if they would release more evidence if Kim Soo-hyun continued to deny the allegations, attorney Bu Ji-seok responded, questioning whether such a denial would imply that the messages could be considered 'grooming sexual offenses.'

Meanwhile, the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' aired a live broadcast titled '[Exclusive] Pedophilic Pervert Kim Soo-hyun (Video Released),' claiming to show a video sent by Kim Soo-hyun to Kim Sae-ron while in Paris. The video features a man resembling Kim Soo-hyun making inappropriate comments, further damaging his public image.

Despite the family's claims, Kim Soo-hyun's representatives maintain that they only dated after Kim Sae-ron reached adulthood. In light of the ongoing revelations, they have filed complaints against the 'Garo Sero Research Institute' and others for violations related to the distribution of private recordings.