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South Korean Actor Kim Soo-hyun Denies Allegations in Tearful Press Conference
Seoul, South Korea – Renowned South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has publicly and emotionally denied allegations leveled by the family of actress Kim Sae-ron, who tragically passed away in February in what was reported as a suicide. The scandal has gripped South Korea and its entertainment industry, generating intense public scrutiny.
“I cannot confess to actions I did not commit,” the 37-year-old actor declared during a press conference held in Seoul on Monday, addressing the swirling controversy.
Key Allegations Spark Controversy
At the heart of the dispute are two primary accusations:
- Underage Relationship Claims: Allegations suggest Kim Soo-hyun was romantically involved with Kim Sae-ron when she was 15 years old, legally a minor.
- Financial Pressure Accusations: It is claimed that Kim Soo-hyun’s agency pressured Kim Sae-ron to repay a loan she allegedly owed to him.
These claims have sent shockwaves through South Korea and its entertainment sector, leading to significant backlash against Kim Soo-hyun, a celebrated figure recognized for his prominent roles in highly successful drama series and films.
Kim Soo-hyun’s Emotional Address to the Media
Visibly emotional, Kim Soo-hyun stated amidst tears that while he did date the actress for approximately a year, their relationship occurred when she was an adult and never during her underage years.
The Monday media conference was convened following weeks of escalating accusations and rebuttals between Kim Sae-ron’s family and Kim Soo-hyun’s representatives in the aftermath of her death.
The allegations surfaced on March 10, less than a month after Kim Sae-ron’s passing. A YouTube channel, known for its politically charged and often controversial content, asserted that the pair had been dating for six years, commencing when she was 15. This channel has since released videos and images purported to be from their alleged relationship.
Last week, the legal representative for Kim Sae-ron’s family held a press briefing, revealing additional chat records purportedly exchanged between the two actors in 2016, when she was 16 years old.
Initially, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency refuted the claims, but subsequently clarified their stance, acknowledging that the two did date, but exclusively between 2019 and 2020, when Kim Sae-ron was of legal age.
The actor himself had maintained silence until this week’s press conference. Addressing reporters, he became visibly moved, reiterating that their relationship occurred only when both were adults.
“Many individuals are suffering due to this situation,” he conveyed, expressing remorse to his fans and team. “I also deeply regret that the deceased actress [Kim Sae-ron] is unable to find peace.”
“I never dated her during her minority,” he insisted. “Beyond our shared profession as actors, our relationship was akin to any ordinary couple.”
Addressing Past Denial and Protecting Queen of Tears
Kim Soo-hyun further addressed his earlier denial of the relationship when Kim Sae-ron briefly posted a now-deleted photo of them on her Instagram account in 2024, coinciding with the airing of the popular Netflix series “Queen of Tears,” where he starred in the lead role.
“As the lead actor, I had significant responsibilities to safeguard. Consider the ramifications if I had acknowledged a year-long relationship at that juncture. What would have been the impact on the cast, the tireless staff, and the production team who had invested everything in the project?” he questioned. “The more I deliberated, the more convinced I became that such an admission would be inappropriate.”
In South Korea’s entertainment industry, the acknowledgement of a romantic relationship or partner by celebrities often remains a sensitive issue for fans and the public, with intense examination of their personal lives being commonplace.
Kim Sae-ron’s Past Struggles and Agency Debt
Kim Sae-ron had previously faced online criticism and hate from fans following a 2022 incident of driving under the influence, for which she was fined 20 million won (£11,000; $14,000).
Before this event, she was recognized as one of South Korea’s most promising young actresses.
At the time, both actors were represented by the same agency, GoldMedalist, which was co-founded by a relative of Kim Soo-hyun. Kim Sae-ron joined the agency in January 2020 and departed in December 2022.
Kim Sae-ron’s family has asserted that GoldMedalist covered the financial compensation for her drink-driving incident. They further allege that the agency subsequently pursued legal measures to recover these funds and that, despite the actress’s requests to Kim Soo-hyun for extended time to settle the alleged debt, her pleas were disregarded.
On Monday, Kim Soo-hyun refuted the claims that “she made a tragic decision due to pressure from me or my agency concerning a debt.”
He disclosed a voice recording of a phone conversation from a year prior, purportedly between his agency and Kim Sae-ron’s representative.
In the recording, the CEO of GoldMedalist seemingly clarifies that the document sent to her regarding the debt was purely “procedural” and that her team had ample time to respond.
He also accused Kim Sae-ron’s family of manipulating chat logs presented as evidence and affirmed that he has submitted his evidence to the relevant authorities for verification, urging her family to follow suit.
Legal Actions and Industry Impact
Kim Soo-hyun, a prominent A-list actor in South Korea, is celebrated for his leading roles in numerous successful drama series and top-grossing films, such as “My Love from the Star,” Netflix’s “Queen of Tears,” and the movie “Secretly, Greatly.”
He has also been a sought-after figure for advertisers in the country, although several brands have recently distanced themselves from him amidst the ongoing controversy. Fashion brand Prada reportedly declared a mutual decision to end their collaboration with the actor on March 17, as per Reuters. Korean cosmetic brand Dinto has also taken similar action.
A Disney+ series featuring Kim Soo-hyun has also reportedly been placed on hold due to the scandal, according to local news agency Yonhap.
His legal counsel stated on Monday that a criminal complaint has been filed against Kim Sae-ron’s family and the operator of the YouTube channel, along with a civil suit seeking damages amounting to 12 billion won.
Kim Sae-ron’s family has not yet issued any public statements regarding the lawsuits or Kim Soo-hyun’s recent remarks.
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