Kim Soo-hyun: Actor denies allegations by Kim Sae-ron's family

South Korean star Kim Soo-hyun publicly denied, with tears in his eyes, the allegations made by the family of actress Kim Sae-ron. Kim Sae-ron passed away in February of this year, suspected of suicide. Kim Soo-hyun insisted that he had not committed any of the actions he was accused of.

Kim Soo-hyun, 37, stated at a press conference held in Seoul on Monday, "I cannot admit to something I did not do." At the heart of the controversy are two accusations: first, that Kim Soo-hyun was in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron when she was 15 years old (a minor); and second, that his agency forced her to repay loans she owed him.

The scandal has shocked South Korea and its entertainment industry, and has sparked strong backlash against Kim Soo-hyun. Kim Soo-hyun, who has starred in numerous popular dramas and films, is one of South Korea's most recognizable stars. Kim Soo-hyun said, choking back tears, that while he did date Kim Sae-ron after she became an adult for a year, they never dated when she was a minor.

Monday's media briefing was held against a backdrop of weeks of mutual accusations between Kim Sae-ron's family and Kim Soo-hyun's side following Kim Sae-ron's death. The scandal broke on March 10, less than a month after Kim Sae-ron's passing. A YouTube channel known for publishing controversial political content claimed that the two had been dating for six years, starting when Kim Sae-ron was only 15 years old. The channel subsequently released videos and photos allegedly taken during their relationship.

Last week, lawyers for Kim Sae-ron's family held a press conference, releasing more alleged chat logs between the two actors from 2016 (when Kim Sae-ron was 16). Kim Soo-hyun's agency initially denied the allegations, but later clarified that they did date, but only between 2019 and 2020, when Kim Sae-ron was an adult.

Kim Soo-hyun himself did not break his silence until Monday. At the press conference, he became emotional, reiterating to reporters that they only dated when both were adults. He said, "Many people have suffered because of me." He apologized to his fans and staff, and stated, "I am also sorry that the deceased actress (Kim Sae-ron) cannot rest in peace." He continued, "I never dated her when she was a minor. Aside from the fact that we are both actors, our relationship was like any other ordinary couple."

He also explained why he denied the relationship after Kim Sae-ron posted a photo of the two of them on her since-deleted Instagram account during the airing of the 2024 Netflix hit series "Queen of Tears." He said, "As the lead actor, I had a lot to protect. What would happen if I admitted to a year-long relationship? What about the actors and staff who worked all night and the production team who bet everything on that project? The more I thought about it, the more I felt I shouldn't do it."

In the South Korean entertainment industry, any admission of a romantic relationship or partner is still considered a scandal, as celebrities' private lives are subject to intense scrutiny. Kim Sae-ron herself was also a victim of online abuse after being fined 20 million won (approximately £11,000; $14,000) for a drunk driving incident in 2022. Prior to that, she had been considered one of South Korea's most promising young actresses. At the time, she and Kim Soo-hyun were managed by the same agency, co-founded by Kim Soo-hyun's relative. Kim Sae-ron joined GoldMedalist in January 2020 and left in December 2022.

Kim Sae-ron's family claims that GoldMedalist paid the damages for her drunk driving incident. They allege that the agency later took legal action to demand repayment, and that despite Kim Sae-ron's requests for more time to repay the debt, her requests were not met. On Monday, Kim Soo-hyun denied the claim that "she made a tragic choice because I and my agency pressured her to repay the debt."

He released a recording of a phone conversation from a year ago, allegedly between his agency and Kim Sae-ron's representatives. In the recording, GoldMedalist's CEO appears to explain that the documents they sent her regarding the debt were merely for "procedural reasons" and that her team could take their time to respond. He also accused Kim Sae-ron's family of tampering with chat logs as evidence, and stated that he had submitted his evidence to the relevant authorities for verification. He urged her family to do the same.

Kim Soo-hyun, 37, is a leading South Korean actor known for his roles in numerous hit dramas and box-office topping films, including "My Love from the Star," Netflix's "Queen of Tears," and the film "Secretly, Greatly." He is also a favorite of South Korean advertisers, although amidst the controversy, many brands have now distanced themselves from him. According to Reuters, on March 17, fashion brand Prada announced that the two parties had decided to end their partnership. Previously, Korean cosmetics brand Dinto had taken similar action. According to local news outlet Yonhap, a Disney+ series starring Kim Soo-hyun has also been suspended due to the scandal.

Kim Soo-hyun's lawyers stated on Monday that they have filed criminal charges against Kim Sae-ron's family and the YouTube channel operator, as well as a civil damages lawsuit seeking 12 billion Korean won. Her family has not yet commented on the lawsuits or his latest remarks.