"South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has publicly acknowledged that he was in a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron but firmly denied claims th
“South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has publicly acknowledged that he was in a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron but firmly denied claims that she was underage at the time.
In a statement released today (March 14), his management agency, Gold Medalist, clarified: “Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were romantically involved from the summer of 2019 to autumn of 2020.” The agency emphasised that allegations of him dating her as a minor were false.
Kim Sae-ron, who tragically died by suicide on February 16 at the age of 24, would have been 19 when the relationship reportedly began. Her passing coincided with Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday, adding to the emotional weight of the controversy.
Speculation surrounding their relationship intensified after Sae-ron’s family released intimate photos of the pair on YouTube’s Garo Sero Institute channel on March 11, suggesting she was only 15 when they started dating.
Gold Medalist revealed that their statement was originally set to be published next week but was brought forward due to the severe psychological distress Kim Soo-hyun has been experiencing.
“In the early hours of today, Kim Soo-hyun exhibited signs of extreme emotional strain. We have taken necessary steps to stabilise him,” the agency stated. They also expressed concerns over paparazzi gathering near his residence, exacerbating the pressure on the actor.
Additionally, the agency addressed a letter that was made public by Garo Sero Institute, stating it was simply one of many friendly letters he sent to acquaintances during his military service.
Responding to further allegations, Gold Medalist rejected claims that Kim Soo-hyun ignored Sae-ron’s pleas for help following her drink-driving incident in May 2022. They also denied accusations that the agency had pressured her to repay debts, asserting instead that they had contributed towards clearing part of her reported 1.14 billion won (S$1.05 million) financial burden.
The agency concluded: “Being a public figure does not mean he should be subjected to continuous false accusations and personal attacks.”
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