Korean star Kim Soo-Hyun refutes allegations made against him

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun firmly denied claims that he was in a relationship with actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage.

Luxury companies like Prada have severed their connections with Kim Soo-hyun due to the scandal surrounding his purported relationship with Kim Sae-ron. Since Kim Sae-ron’s untimely death in February, which authorities likely attributed to suicide at the age of 24, the situation has only worsened.

The controversy revolves around two main claims: that Kim Soo-hyun was in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron when she was just 15 and that his agency pressured her to repay a loan she owed him.

The scandal has sent shockwaves through South Korea’s entertainment industry, sparking backlash against Kim Soo-hyun. As one of the country’s most recognized stars, known for his roles in numerous hit dramas and films, the accusations have put his reputation under intense scrutiny.

Tragic death of Kim Sae-ron

On February 16, 2025, authorities discovered 24-year-old South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron dead in her Seoul residence after she allegedly committed suicide. Several events may have influenced her tragic decision, though the exact causes remain unknown.

Kim caused a drunk driving incident in May 2022 that resulted in significant property damage and public outrage. Her acting career took a break after she was fined 20 million won, or around $13,850 USD, and withdrew from ongoing projects. The screen time was apparently cut because of the previous incident, even though she made an attempt to return in 2023 with the Netflix series “Bloodhounds.”

The significant media attention and online criticism following the 2022 event likely worsened Kim Sae-ron’s sorrow. Reports indicate that journalists wrote approximately 2,000 articles about her between the drunk driving accident and her death, many of them sensational and unpleasant. She may have felt even more alone and hopeless as a result of this unrelenting publicity and unsubstantiated social media claims.

A combination of financial strains, public attention, and professional losses may have influenced Kim Sae-ron’s unfortunate decision.

Allegations made against Kim Soo-Hyun

According to allegations, Kim Soo-hyun began dating Kim Sae-ron in 2016 when she was just 15 years old, indicating an inappropriate relationship with a juvenile.

Kim Soo-hyun, through his company Gold Medalist, allegedly pressured Kim Sae-ron to repay a debt of around 700 million won (about $482,000) for damages from her 2022 drunk driving incident, which reportedly worsened her distress. At a press conference, the 37-years-old said, “I can’t admit to something I didn’t do”

Claims of an underage relationship have been denied by Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, who claim that their romance started in the summer of 2019 after Kim Sae-ron had gained adulthood and continued until the fall of 2020. They supported this timeline with proof, such as apparel release dates and photo information.

In response to the financial accusations, the gold medalist stated that they worked with Kim Sae-ron to handle the financial fallout from her 2022 mishap. Kim Soo-hyun did not directly lend her money or demand reimbursement, according to the agency, which also claimed to have helped reduce the damages.

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