Explained: The Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Sae-Ron Controversy, Including “Dating a Minor” Allegations
A Complicated Scandal
Kim Sae-Ron was found dead at her residence in Seoul on February 16, 2025, the same day as her ex-boyfriend Kim Soo-Hyun’s birthday. Authorities confirmed her death as suicide.
Following her passing, a controversy erupted when a viral YouTube video claimed that Kim Soo-Hyun had dated Kim Sae-Ron when she was a minor. These allegations, which quickly gained attention, have led to significant backlash against the Queen of Tears actor.
How It Started
On March 10, the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, run by former MBC reporter-turned-YouTuber Kim Se-Ui, released a video alleging that Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Sae-Ron had been in a secret long-term relationship.
The video featured statements from Kim Sae-Ron’s aunt, who claimed the actress began dating Kim Soo-Hyun in 2015—when she was just 15 years old, while he was 27.
Additionally, the video stated that Kim Sae-Ron joined Kim Soo-Hyun’s management company, Gold Medalist, in 2019, after leaving her previous agency, YG Entertainment. During her time at Gold Medalist, she allegedly worked without pay, offering acting lessons and helping to recruit new talent to support Kim Soo-Hyun’s business.
The Alleged Breakup and Financial Dispute
According to Garosero Research Institute, the couple dated for six years before parting ways in 2022. Kim Soo-Hyun reportedly distanced himself from Kim Sae-Ron after her DUI scandal in May 2022, which severely damaged her career.
Despite this, the actor and Gold Medalist allegedly helped her financially, covering approximately $483,000 in damages related to the incident—without demanding repayment at the time.
However, after Kim Sae-Ron’s contract with Gold Medalist ended in 2024, the agency reportedly sent her a legal notice demanding she repay the money. The YouTube channel claims that when Kim Sae-Ron attempted to contact Kim Soo-Hyun, he did not respond to her calls.
Kim Sae-Ron’s Final Attempts to Reach Out
During this period, Kim Soo-Hyun’s drama Queen of Tears was on air. Kim Sae-Ron allegedly posted a picture of the two together on Instagram in an attempt to get his attention. However, Gold Medalist remained silent, eventually releasing an official statement that portrayed Kim Sae-Ron in a negative light.
According to her aunt, Kim Sae-Ron struggled under the financial burden and stress of being unable to repay the $483,000. Her family believes this pressure contributed to her decision to take her own life.
Industry Backlash and Legal Threats
As the controversy spread, Gold Medalist released a strong statement denying all allegations, calling them “baseless and malicious.” The agency also threatened legal action against Garosero Research Institute for spreading false rumors.
In response, the YouTube channel refused to back down, insisting that their sources came directly from Kim Sae-Ron’s family. They even released additional materials, including:
- A text message from Kim Sae-Ron to Kim Soo-Hyun, sent on March 19, 2023, pleading for more time to repay the money.
- A 2016 photo showing Kim Soo-Hyun kissing a then-minor Kim Sae-Ron on the cheek.
As scrutiny of Kim Soo-Hyun intensified, past controversial remarks he made about marriage resurfaced. In one interview, he had stated:
“It looks like my marriage timeline has been pushed back a bit. I think I might be able to get married at around 41. I’ll marry a 21-year-old when I’m 41.”
The Fallout
In light of the controversy, Kim Soo-Hyun is facing significant backlash on social media. Several brands and television networks have announced that they are suspending their associations with the actor until further clarification on the matter.
With legal battles looming and public opinion divided, the case continues to unfold, leaving many unanswered questions.
