Lawyer Critiques Kim Soo-hyun Amid Grooming Allegations Related to Late Kim Sae-ron

In a recent episode of the YouTube channel 'Knowing Lawyer' (아는 변호사), lawyer Lee Ji-hoon criticized actor Kim Soo-hyun regarding allegations of grooming related to the late Kim Sae-ron. The video, titled "Villains and Criminals (feat. Kim Soo-hyun)," was uploaded on March 17, 2025.

Lee pointed out that Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, claimed that Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun were in a relationship from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after she had turned 18. He argued that the agency's statement implies that while they were dating, it was not during her minor years, which raises questions about the credibility of their previous denials.

"Kim Soo-hyun's statement has two points: first, he claims they did not date when she was a minor. However, the emphasis seems to be on the fact that they did date, just not when she was underage. This leads to confusion about whether they were truthful in their previous claims of not dating at all," Lee stated.

He further criticized the agency's shift from denying the relationship to acknowledging it only after photos surfaced, questioning the integrity of their statements. Lee emphasized that the legal definitions of adulthood and childhood should not be taken lightly, as they can have significant implications in cases involving minors.

"Just because someone is legally an adult does not mean they are mature enough to engage in relationships with much older individuals. We need to consider the implications of such relationships, especially when one party is significantly younger," he added.

Lee also expressed concern over the agency's late acknowledgment of the relationship, suggesting that it contributed to the distress faced by Kim Sae-ron, who tragically passed away. He called for accountability, stating that if Kim Soo-hyun had lied, an apology was warranted.

In response to the allegations, the family of the late Kim Sae-ron has claimed through the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소) that she was in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun from the age of 15 for six years. They also alleged that Kim Soo-hyun's agency sent threatening letters regarding a 700 million KRW penalty related to a drunk driving incident.

Gold Medalist has since issued a statement denying any claims for damages against Kim Sae-ron and clarified that the letters were merely legal notifications regarding repayment discussions.