Shin Soohyun (신수현), a member of the boy group U-KISS, is set to hold his first solo concert today, March 15, at the YES24 Wonder Hall in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Titled 'SHIN SOOHYUN SOLO CONCERT 'I AM' IN SEOUL' (이하 'I AM'), this concert marks Soohyun's debut as a solo artist. He has curated a rich setlist to showcase his true self and create unforgettable memories for his fans.

In addition to his Seoul concert, Soohyun plans to continue his solo activities with a concert in Tokyo, Japan, scheduled for April 11-12. Recently, he released his first solo single 'i am,' signaling the start of a new musical journey. Soohyun has infused various emotions he experienced while finding his musical voice into each track. The title song, '어이없이 난 쉽게도,' features a band sound that has garnered positive feedback from listeners.

The 'I AM' concert will take place in two sessions today at the YES24 Wonder Hall in Seoul.

Shin Soohyun of U-KISS to Hold First Solo Concert in Seoul

On March 14, 2025, the media showcase for LE SSERAFIM's (르세라핌) fifth mini album, 'HOT,' took place at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The album encapsulates a heartfelt dedication to love and passion. The group, consisting of Kim Chae-won (김채원), Sakura (사쿠라), Heo Yoon-jin (허윤진), Kazuha (카즈하), and Hong Eun-chae (홍은채), performed their new tracks during the event, showcasing their vibrant energy and musical growth.

[사진]신곡으로 돌아온 르세라핌

LE SSERAFIM Unveils New Mini Album 'HOT' at Media Showcase

On March 14, 2025, Goldmedalist, the agency representing actor Kim Soo-hyun, issued a detailed statement refuting claims made by individuals claiming to be the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron, as well as allegations from the YouTube channel Garoseoro Research Institute (가로세로연구소). The agency firmly stated that the assertion that Kim Sae-ron was in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun during her minor years is untrue. Furthermore, they dismissed allegations of financial pressure, stating, 'Due to the broadcast by Garoseoro, Kim Soo-hyun has been portrayed as a devil who drove Kim Sae-ron to her death. The claim that Goldmedalist pressured Kim Sae-ron for debts related to her drunk driving incident, and that she sought help from Kim Soo-hyun who then ignored her, is false. In fact, Goldmedalist covered all of Kim Sae-ron's remaining debts that she could not manage.' 

Goldmedalist provided evidence, explaining that after the drunk driving incident, they worked with Kim Sae-ron to resolve various penalties and compensations owed to affected businesses, amounting to approximately 1.114 billion KRW. They made efforts to minimize her financial burden, ultimately reducing the compensation to about 700 million KRW. 

Despite these efforts, Kim Sae-ron faced difficulties in her career and was unable to repay the remaining amount. Consequently, Goldmedalist determined that she could no longer repay her debts and wrote off the debts as losses in December 2023. An audit report dated April 1, 2024, confirms that all claims against Kim Sae-ron were treated as bad debts. 

The agency clarified that the notice sent to Kim Sae-ron was a necessary legal procedure between them. They emphasized that if they had arbitrarily taken on her penalties, it could have led to potential embezzlement charges against their executives. Goldmedalist explained that they sent the notice to prove that Kim Sae-ron was in a state of 'uncollectible' debt. 

Additionally, they expressed concerns that Kim Sae-ron might have to pay gift taxes on any benefits received from debt forgiveness. A message sent by Kim Sae-ron to Kim Soo-hyun on March 19, 2024, was written in this context. Goldmedalist stated that they needed to follow legal procedures to address Kim Sae-ron's debts. 

The agency also refuted claims that Kim Soo-hyun personally lent money or sought repayment from Kim Sae-ron, asserting that he was not in a position to do so. They noted that Kim Sae-ron, lacking legal knowledge, mistakenly contacted Kim Soo-hyun instead of her creditors, and that Kim Soo-hyun was unaware of the situation. At that time, the two had been separated for four years. 

Goldmedalist stated that they did not directly demand repayment from Kim Sae-ron. They mentioned that on March 26, 2024, Kim Sae-ron's legal representative expressed gratitude for the agency's past support and indicated a willingness to discuss a repayment plan, which led to the resolution of their creditor-debtor relationship. After writing off the debt, Goldmedalist has not made any further demands for repayment. 

The agency concluded that it is reasonable to assume that Kim Sae-ron believed she was completely free from her debts to Goldmedalist. They criticized the linking of her death a year later to these financial matters as an unfounded and malicious speculation. Goldmedalist expressed their commitment to understanding Kim Sae-ron's difficult circumstances and emphasized their efforts to prevent her from incurring gift taxes while managing her penalties, including setting interest rates at 0% and delaying penalties at 0%. They expressed their sorrow over the misrepresentation of their actions as pressure for repayment, especially in light of the tragic circumstances surrounding Kim Sae-ron's death.

[공식] 김수현 측 "故김새론 수억대 채무 갚아줘..변제 요구 안해"

Kim Soo-hyun's Agency Denies Allegations Related to Late Actress Kim Sae-ron

NCT 127 wrapped up their North American tour with a spectacular finale at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on March 12, 2025. The tour kicked off on February 28 in Duluth and included stops in Newark, Toronto, Rosemont, and San Antonio, showcasing their concert 'NEO CITY – THE MOMENTUM' across six cities. Fans filled the venues with enthusiastic chants in Korean, reaffirming NCT 127's status as a leading global group.

The final performance featured a medley of hit songs including '질주' (2 Baddies), 'Far', '영웅' (Hero), 'Fact Check', and '삐그덕' (Lemonade), with the audience responding with fervent cheers and sing-alongs. During the encore, tracks like '사랑한다는 말의 뜻을 알아가자' (Understanding the Meaning of Love), 'Dreams Come True', and '다시 만나는 날' (The Day We Meet Again) saw both members and fans singing together, leaving a lasting impression.

Reflecting on the tour, NCT 127 expressed, "This tour has been a precious moment that made us love our team even more. Thanks to you, it has been filled with happy memories. We will continue to be NCT 127, bringing you positive energy through great music and performances. Thank you for being with us on this journey."

The tour garnered significant attention from local media, with UK’s CLASH noting, "Watching NCT 127 perform is always a joy. They have become a unique presence in K-pop, and their continuous innovation will leave a lasting impact." Meanwhile, amNewYork highlighted the excitement of the fans, known as '시즈니' (Cizennies), who proudly cheered for their idols throughout the concert.

Following the North American tour, NCT 127 is set to continue their fourth world tour with performances at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan on March 15-16, 2025.

NCT 127,  美 LA서 북미 투어 피날레..6개 도시서 울려 퍼진 한국어 떼창

NCT 127 Concludes North American Tour with a Grand Finale in LA

A 30-something man, referred to as A, who was once a professional volleyball player, has been arrested by the Songpa Police Station in Seoul on charges of sexual assault. The police confirmed on March 14 that they apprehended A at the scene and have applied for an arrest warrant. The hearing for A's warrant began at 2:30 PM the same day. 

A is accused of forcibly propositioning a woman he had just met at an officetel in Songpa-gu around 11 PM on March 12, allegedly saying, 'Let's have sexual relations.' Reports indicate that A has a history of being investigated for sexual offenses prior to this incident. 

According to sources, A was drafted in the first round during the 2012 professional volleyball tryouts and was once considered 'the future of Korean volleyball' due to his height of over 2 meters. However, he struggled to adapt and retired in 2018. It has also been reported that A has had previous encounters with the law, including time spent in prison.

前 프로 배구선수, 강제추행 혐의로 경찰 체포

Former Professional Volleyball Player Arrested for Sexual Assault

Actor Kim Soo-hyun has announced plans to officially respond to various allegations surrounding the death of Kim Sae-ron, but the fallout in the advertising industry has already begun. Following Kim Sae-ron's passing, her family has been revealing details about the circumstances leading to her death through the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로 연구소) since March 10.

According to the family and 'Garo Sero', Kim Soo-hyun was in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron from 2015 to 2021, when she was a minor. They allege that after Kim Sae-ron's DUI accident in 2022, which led to her hiatus and financial struggles, Kim Soo-hyun pressured her to repay 700 million KRW borrowed to settle the incident.

In response, Kim Soo-hyun's team has labeled these claims as "clear falsehoods," stating that 'Garo Sero' has made malicious accusations, including that Kim Soo-hyun and the YouTuber colluded to harass Kim Sae-ron, and that the agency's response to her DUI was inappropriate. They are considering taking strong legal action against the spread of these false claims.

Despite this, 'Garo Sero' has intensified pressure on Kim Soo-hyun by releasing photos and handwritten letters. The family has also expressed their grievances in interviews with various media outlets.

Kim Soo-hyun's team stated, "We will clarify the facts and respond to baseless rumors with clear evidence next week. We apologize for the prolonged discomfort and ask for your understanding as we seek to halt ongoing reports."

The advertising industry has reacted sensitively to this controversy. Various brands, including aesthetic, cosmetic, dining, and health supplement companies, have removed Kim Soo-hyun's images from their official channels. Even a decade-old advertisement featuring him has been made private, indicating the industry's close watch on the situation.

Homeplus, which recently re-signed Kim Soo-hyun as a model for its 28th-anniversary campaign, has also taken action by removing his photos from their app's main page. As of March 13, it was confirmed that advertisements featuring Kim Soo-hyun have been switched to private on YouTube, distancing themselves from the controversy. Homeplus, already facing corporate restructuring, has been hit hard by this scandal.

Kim Soo-hyun's advertising fees are estimated to range from 700 million to 1 billion KRW annually. Given that penalties for contract breaches typically amount to two to three times the fee, if he fails to adequately address the allegations, he could face penalties of around 20 billion KRW. The situation may further evolve depending on his ongoing or upcoming projects in entertainment.

[단독] 김수현, 모델 재발탁 2주 만 손절…‘故김새론 논란’ 다음주 입장 발표 (종합)

Kim Soo-hyun to Address Allegations Following Kim Sae-ron's Death Amid Advertising Fallout

On March 15, 2025, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Goldmedalist, issued a statement refuting the recent claims made by the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (commonly known as 가세연) during a live broadcast on March 14. The agency emphasized that the photos shared by 가세연 were taken on December 14, 2019, and argued that there is no justification for the indiscriminate release of images related to Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron's private lives. They urged for an end to the dissemination of personal information.

Goldmedalist also acknowledged the statement made by Kim Sae-ron's mother, expressing deep sympathy for her unimaginable pain following the loss of her daughter. They conveyed their sorrow over the hardships Kim Sae-ron faced during her life and expressed their understanding of the concerns raised by her mother regarding media coverage.

While the agency agreed with some of the points made by Kim Sae-ron's mother, they noted that there are aspects of her claims that differ from their perspective. They suggested that there may be information that she is not yet aware of and stated that publicly debating these issues would not be appropriate for honoring Kim Sae-ron's memory. Goldmedalist expressed a desire to meet with her mother to provide a thorough explanation and invited her to contact the agency at any time.

Recently, Kim Soo-hyun has faced allegations from 가세연 regarding a supposed 'grooming' crime, claiming he had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor. The agency clarified that while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron did have a past relationship, they only dated from the summer of 2019, when she was an adult, until the fall of 2020. They also refuted claims that they pressured Kim Sae-ron regarding a compensation demand related to her DUI incident, stating that the legal documents were part of a process to address losses incurred by her former agency. Goldmedalist has announced plans for strong legal action against the false allegations made by 가세연.

Kim Soo-hyun's Agency Responds to Allegations and Seeks Communication with Kim Sae-ron's Family

Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, has publicly criticized the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소) for spreading personal information about the actor. The channel recently alleged that Kim Soo-hyun had a romantic relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, claiming they dated for six years since her third year of middle school and raising suspicions of 'grooming' behavior. They also accused Gold Medalist of pressuring Kim Sae-ron regarding a 700 million KRW penalty related to her drunk driving incident, suggesting that Kim Soo-hyun was complicit in this situation.

In response, Kim Sae-ron's family, including her mother and aunt, expressed their desire to restore her reputation, stating that Kim Soo-hyun portrayed her as a liar. Gold Medalist confirmed that while Kim Soo-hyun did date Kim Sae-ron, their relationship only occurred after she turned 18, from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020. They clarified that the legal documents sent to Kim Sae-ron were part of a process to address losses incurred by her previous agency due to her drunk driving incident, and they did not pressure her for payment.

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 is no justification for such an invasion of privacy. They also acknowledged the immense pain Kim Sae-ron's mother is experiencing after her loss, expressing their condolences while also empathizing with her concerns regarding media coverage of her daughter.

Gold Medalist emphasized that some of the claims made by Kim Sae-ron's mother differ from their perspective and suggested that there may be information she is not yet aware of. They expressed a desire to meet with her in person to provide a thorough explanation, inviting her to contact their office at any time.

As Kim Soo-hyun faces ongoing scrutiny from the allegations made by Garo Sero Research Institute, his agency's request for a meeting with Kim Sae-ron's mother has drawn significant attention. Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun continues to participate in his scheduled activities, including filming for the MBC variety show 'Good Day' (굿데이).

Kim Soo-hyun's Agency Responds to Controversy Surrounding Kim Sae-ron

Beauty brand Dinto has decided to terminate its advertising model contract with actor Kim Soo-hyun, who has recently been embroiled in allegations regarding his past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor at the time. On March 15, Dinto announced, "We have decided to end our advertising model contract with Kim Soo-hyun. Given the recent controversies, we believe it is important to uphold the principles of good faith and integrity in our partnership. Therefore, we could not proceed with an official statement or contract termination until we received a position statement from Kim Soo-hyun and his agency." 

According to Dinto, the contract with Kim Soo-hyun was set for one year and was valid until August 2025. The company further stated, "After confirming the agency's position, we have determined that there are significant reasons that make it difficult to fulfill the advertising model contract. We are currently in the process of officially terminating the contract through our legal counsel." 

Dinto emphasized that this decision was made to protect the values of the brand and consumer trust. They added, "We will continue to make careful and responsible decisions that align with consumer trust and pursue more meaningful projects to realize our values." 

Recently, Kim Soo-hyun has faced allegations from the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소) and Kim Sae-ron's family, claiming that he was in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was in middle school, starting from when she was 15 years old and continuing for six years. 

On March 14, Gold Medalist, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, released a second statement addressing the allegations. They confirmed that while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were indeed former lovers, their relationship began after Kim Sae-ron turned 18, specifically from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020. 

In a statement through 'Garo Sero,' Kim Sae-ron's mother asserted, "Sae-ron has never lied to the media. She has never pretended to be someone else for attention, nor was she a child who only enjoyed nightlife with friends. She did not create dating rumors through manipulated photos. However, Lee Jin-ho and Cyber Leakers have fabricated false articles that dragged the life of an ordinary and promising actress and her family into hell. Furthermore, Gold Medalist has portrayed Sae-ron as a crazy girl who lies about her intentions regarding the photos she posted."

Dinto Terminates Contract with Kim Soo-hyun Amid Controversy

The mother of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has publicly addressed the media regarding the false narratives surrounding her daughter. In a statement released on March 14 through a YouTube channel, she expressed that their goal is to restore the tarnished reputation of her daughter, who was unfairly affected by numerous misleading articles. She emphasized the need to hold accountable malicious YouTubers and cyber bullies who have contributed to this situation.

A stated, "Sae-ron never lied to the media. She did not engage in gambling or pretend to work part-time. She was not a girl who only enjoyed nightlife with friends, nor did she create false dating rumors through manipulated photos." She lamented that since Sae-ron's passing, there have been outrageous claims about her being a 'girl head of the household' and that her family squandered her earnings, leading to a plethora of baseless articles that are not worth reading.

A further elaborated on the impact of these false articles, stating that they targeted her young daughter, who had just turned twenty, and that Sae-ron bore the brunt of vicious personal attacks alone. She described the three years of suffering that Sae-ron endured, likening it to being bullied by the public due to the false reports initiated by a figure named Lee Jin-ho.

The family hopes to restore the honor that Sae-ron had as an actress during her lifetime and wishes for legal and institutional measures to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.

The family has also claimed that Kim Sae-ron was in a relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun since she was 15 years old, a statement that Kim Soo-hyun's side has denied as false. However, the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' has released letters and photos allegedly sent by Kim Soo-hyun during his military service, further complicating the narrative. They also claimed that a gold medalist demanded compensation from Kim Sae-ron following her DUI incident.

Mother of Late Actress Kim Sae-ron Speaks Out Against False Reports

The mother of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has finally broken her silence, asserting that her daughter never lied about working at a coffee shop and was subjected to bullying by the public. She expressed a desire for her daughter's honor to be restored.

On March 14, the 'Garo Sero Research Institute' (가로세로연구소), claiming to represent Kim Sae-ron's family, released a statement purportedly from her mother. The institute noted that Kim's mother preferred not to reveal her voice, so they used AI technology to present her statement.

In her statement, Kim Sae-ron's mother said, "Sae-ron has never lied to the media. She never pretended to work part-time or was just a girl who enjoyed nightlife with friends. She did not create false dating rumors with manipulated photos. However, Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters have fabricated false articles that dragged the life of a promising actress and her family into hell. Furthermore, Gold Medalist labeled her as a 'crazy girl' who lied about her intentions in the photos she posted. Now that Sae-ron is gone, there are outrageous false articles claiming she was a breadwinner for her family and that they squandered hundreds of billions earned from her. These articles are not worth seeing or reading."

She continued, "The ones who trampled on my fallen child and kicked her while she was down are Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters. There were also irresponsible media outlets that spread the false narratives written by Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters, along with various malicious commenters who supported them. Sae-ron endured this for three years, sleepless and lonely. This is akin to the collective bullying she faced from the public due to the false articles triggered by Lee Jin-ho."

She added, "If Professor Kwon Young-chan from the Korean Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association had not reached out to us, and if Kim Se-yi from Garo Sero had not offered help, our family would have been scapegoats to Lee Jin-ho and the cyber reporters, carrying the burden of Sae-ron's tarnished reputation for life."

In conclusion, she stated, "The actions of Lee Jin-ho and his associates are criminal. It is difficult to hold them accountable for murder within the outdated legal framework. We, the bereaved family, wish to restore the honor that Sae-ron had as an actress during her lifetime, correct the false articles that are entirely untrue, and hope that legal and institutional measures are established to prevent such incidents from happening again, ensuring that the media fulfills its responsibilities."

Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on February 16, at the age of 25. A friend who was supposed to meet her discovered her unresponsive and reported it. Police stated that there were no signs of foul play.

In connection with this, the Garo Sero Institute alleged that actor Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since her minor years, raising suspicions of 'grooming.' They also claimed that Gold Medalist pressured Kim Sae-ron with a 700 million won compensation notice and that Kim Soo-hyun turned a blind eye to it.

In response, Gold Medalist issued an urgent statement on March 14, denying the allegations and clarifying that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, when Kim Sae-ron was an adult. They also refuted claims regarding the compensation notice, stating it was merely a legal procedure related to a penalty from Kim Sae-ron's DUI incident and not a demand for payment.

Shin Soohyun of U-KISS to Hold First Solo Concert in Seoul

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