We've seen a lot this week—and yes, that includes various statements from different camps involved in the bombshell controversy about Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron.
The two South Korean celebrities have been stirring the Internet with a series of alleged exposés that unfortunately had all been put to light weeks after the passing of Sae Ron. To be honest, every bit of this controversy has been absolutely disturbing and very concerning, especially to fans.
In a nutshell, Kim Soo Hyun has been accused of dating former child actress Sae Ron when she was still a minor. As of writing, the South Korean actor—who was also named the highest-paid actor in the industry—has been trying to deny and debunk circulating reports about his reputation through statements released by his company.
Below, we've outlined a timeline of the events surrounding the actor's recent ordeal. After all, staying informed is key.
Trigger warning: This article mentions suicide.
Kim Soo Hyun's Controversy: A Timeline Of Events
March 10, 2025: Accusations Against Kim Soo Hyun Surface on YouTube
A YouTube exposé by HoverLab Inc., also known as Garo Sero Research Institute, has reignited longstanding speculation about Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron’s alleged relationship. As reported by The Korea Times, the video has sparked significant public scrutiny and debate.
According to multiple reports, Kim Sae Ron's aunt claimed in a phone interview that Kim Soo Hyun was involved in the late actress's personal struggles and even alleged that he was responsible for her passing. ICYDK, Kim Sae Ron passed away on February 16, 2025—coincidentally, Kim Soo Hyun's birthday. Days after her passing, South Korean authorities presumed her death to be suicide, according to The Korea Times.
In the phone interview, Sae Ron's aunt alleged that then-27-year-old Soo Hyun was in a relationship with the then-15-year-old girl. She claimed that their supposed secret romance lasted for six years, during which Soo Hyun completed his military enlistment and founded his current agency, GOLDMEDALIST.
Sae Ron later became one of the first artists under GOLDMEDALIST after leaving YG Entertainment in 2019. According to her aunt's statements in a phone interview reported on Garo Sero Research Insitute's YouTube video, Sae Ron was allegedly taken advantage of by the agency, as she was reportedly made to provide free acting lessons to new artists.
Sae Ron's aunt also claimed that Soo Hyun ended their alleged relationship after her 2022 drunk driving incident, which significantly impacted her reputation. Following the controversy, public sentiment turned against her.
ALSO READ: Korean Actress Kim Sae Ron Is Facing Financial Difficulties After Her Drunk Driving Accident
At the time, GOLDMEDALIST and Kim Soo Hyun reportedly offered to settle a fine of 700 million Korean won (around P27,594,978) for Kim Sae Ron, despite the actress wanting to pay it herself. According to reports, Sae Ron and her family initially felt grateful to Soo Hyun for this.
In 2024, two years after the drunk driving incident, Sae Ron was no longer under contract with GOLDMEDALIST. However, she was allegedly caught off-guard when the agency asked her to repay the fine it had initially covered. Around this time, Sae Ron posted a photo with Soo Hyun, which sparked public speculation about their relationship.
In the YouTube video, Sae Ron's aunt claimed that the actress posted the photo as an attempt to reach Soo Hyun, alleging that the actor had been ignoring her calls about the 700 million Korean won debt. The aunt further claimed that Sae Ron had been served the debt by the company Soo Hyun co-owns.
On March 23, 2024, GOLDMEDALIST issued a public statement refuting rumors about Soo Hyun and Sae Ron’s alleged romance. Their statement, as translated by Soompi, reads:
"We are informing you that Kim Soo Hyun's dating rumors are not currently true. The photo that has been spread online appears to have been taken in the past, when [Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron] were under the same agency, and we are completely unable to understand the motivation behind Kim Sae Ron's action [of posting the photo]."
March 11, 2025: GOLDMEDALIST Releases Statement Denying All Allegations
Following the claims made by Kim Sae Ron's aunt and the public backlash, Kim Soo Hyun's agency, GOLDMEDALIST, issued a statement firmly denying all allegations that were reported through the YouTube channel HoverLab Inc., also known as Garo Sero Research Institute. The agency also stated that it was considering legal action against the YouTube channel.
Their statement read (as translated by Soompi):
"The claims made by HoverLab Inc. in their YouTube broadcast about Kim Soo Hyun are clearly false and baseless.
In their broadcast, HoverLab Inc. alleged that our company and Kim Soo Hyun colluded with YouTuber Lee Jin Ho to harass the late actress Kim Sae Ron. They further claimed that Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron were in a romantic relationship starting when she was 15 years old, that our company acted improperly in handling the aftermath of Kim Sae Ron’s DUI incident, and that a manager from our company has a close relationship with YouTuber Lee Jin Ho. These malicious claims directed at our company and actor Kim Soo Hyun are entirely false and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. We are currently reviewing the strongest possible legal actions against HoverLab Inc. for spreading these falsehoods.
Our company is deeply saddened by the passing of the late Kim Sae Ron, who was once part of our agency, and we mourn her loss. However, the dissemination of such false information by HoverLab Inc. mirrors the very behavior of so-called “cyber wreckers” that caused the late actress so much pain during her lifetime. Their actions, driven solely by self-interest, not only damage our company but also tarnish the honor of the deceased, and thus we will respond to this matter with the utmost seriousness.
We earnestly request that these baseless falsehoods not be further spread, amplified, or reproduced in any way. Thank you."
March 11, 2025: Kim Soo Hyun's Past Comments About Marriage Resurface Online
There has been a surge of public discussion against Kim Soo Hyun online. Although some fans continue to support him, believing the rumors to be an attempt to damage his reputation, others have reacted negatively in light of recent developments.
As conversations around Soo Hyun's past resurface, one particular comment from 2013 about getting married has drawn attention. During the promotion of his film Secretly, Greatly, he reportedly spoke about his thoughts on marriage at the time. According to past reports, he shared: "When I was 24, I made a life plan while thinking about how I would make a living, and I decided that I would get married between the ages of 36 and 37. But now, I don't think I'll be able to stick to that plan. 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."
March 11, 2025: Alleged statement from Kim Sae Ron about Kim Soo Hyun surfaces
The exposè continues. As several photos of Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron together began circulating online, the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute shared what it claimed to be screenshots of a conversation between Sae Ron and her cousin. The alleged conversation, which reportedly took place in March 2024, suggested that the late actress had considered publicly addressing her rumored relationship with the actor.
In the reported screenshots, Sae Ron drafted a statement. It read (as translated by Koreaboo):
"Hello, this is Kim Sae Ron. Firstly, I wish to apologize to everyone and the industry staff who were affected and confused by my careless actions.
Although the media is reporting the rumors which have been spreading in the media as falsehoods, I wish to clearly state that that is untrue.
The photo uploaded on my Instagram Stories was taken in 2016, and we were dating from November 19, 2015, to July 7, 2021.
But GOLDMEDALIST is currently claiming that 'they don't know my intentions behind uploading it,' and this completely does not match up with what they have been doing. I hope that they can come to recognize and apologize for their misdoings, which caused me harm when I was still with the company.
As an actress whose image is consumed by viewers, I am leaving this post in belief that people need to be told the truth."
March 11, 2025: GOLDMEDALIST briefly comments on recent claims made by the YouTube channel
According to a report by South Korean media outlet OSEN, GOLDMEDALIST stated that they are carefully reviewing the situation. "We have seen the live stream by Garo Sero Institute, and we are currently discussing how to deal with it. We still do not have any additional things to say. We will let you know as soon as we organize things," the company told OSEN.
March 12, 2025: Brands Face Public Pressure Over Kim Soo Hyun Controversy
Amid the ongoing discussions surrounding Kim Soo Hyun, brands collaborating with the actor are facing public pressure to address their partnerships with him.
One of his endorsers, the cosmetic brand Dinto, shared that they are waiting for more clarity on the situation before making any final decisions. As a result, they have decided to pause promotions and activities featuring the actor. Dinto's CEO, Ahn Ji Hye posted: "The statement I posted between the evening of March 10th and the early hours of March 11th was meant to indicate that I was monitoring the situation and waiting for a clearer understanding of the facts before making any hasty decisions. I take full responsibility for any misunderstandings that arose from my words."
As of writing, lifestyle apparel brand K2 Korea has reportedly removed the actor's promotional materials from its website and social media accounts. AllKpop cited a retail industry insider who shared insights on the potential impact of the situation: "We are closely monitoring public sentiment before deciding whether to pull ads or adjust our remaining promotional plans."
Soo Hyun represents more than 10 brands, including ShinHan Bank, Prada, and Jo Malone.
March 12, 2025: Disney+ Responds to Kim Soo Hyun's Ongoing Controversy
ICYDK, Kim Soo Hyun has an upcoming series with Disney+ called Knock-Off, which also stars actress Jo Bo Ah (Destined With You, Tale of the Nine-Tailed). Amid the ongoing discussions surrounding the actor, people are now speculating whether the series will proceed as planned.
On March 12, Disney+ confirmed that production is continuing as scheduled. "Season 2 filming is proceeding according to plan. Nothing has been decided yet. We will provide information once decisions are made," a representative from the series' production told Chosun.com when asked about the filming and the reported press conference scheduled for next month.
March 12, 2025: Dispatch Publishes Report on Kim Sae Ron’s Debt and Alleged Messages to Kim Soo Hyun
South Korean entertainment news outlet Dispatch released a report featuring a content certification document reportedly obtained from GOLDMEDALIST in March 2024. According to Dispatch, the document outlined a demand for Kim Sae Ron to repay an alleged loan amounting to exactly 685,409,653 Korean won, which was reportedly due by the end of 2023. The report also claimed that the agency had warned of potential legal action if the debt remained unpaid.
In addition, Dispatch included screenshots of an alleged message from Sae Ron to Kim Soo Hyun, in which she appeared to request assistance regarding the financial matter. The message reportedly read (as translated by Koreaboo):
"Oppa, this is Sae Ron. I received the letter of certification today, that [your company] is suing me. You said that you would give me ample time, so I'm working hard, preparing to make a comeback. I will pay you back with a percentage from each work. I'm not saying that I won't pay you back, but if you suddenly ask for 700 million KRW right now, I really can't do anything. It's not that I won't, but I can't. Do you really have to take it as far as a lawsuit? Please save me… I beg of you. Give me some time."
Dispatch also reported that their team visited Sae Ron's residence after her passing, where they spoke with individuals familiar with her situation. One resident allegedly shared: "I could see a wound on her wrist. I thought that this young woman had such a difficult life. I didn't even know she was an actress. I just thought she was someone who came to live in Seoul with her younger sister."
READ: Korean Actress Kim Sae Ron Is Facing Financial Difficulties After Her Drunk Driving Accident
Following Kim Sae Ron's passing in February 2025, Dispatch reached out to GOLDMEDALIST for clarification regarding the loan certification they had reportedly sent in 2024. The agency stated that the certification was issued as part of a "basic procedure" and maintained that they had no expectation of receiving repayment from the late actress. They also claimed that the situation had been thoroughly explained to her at the time.
GOLDMEDALIST reportedly told Dispatch: "From what we know, her manager got in contact with her at that time. We needed the documents for it. [...] She was told the company paid out the compensation. We knew we couldn't get such a large amount from her. We told her she could pay it back when she brings in a profit for the company or when she can afford it."
March 12, 2025: Dispatch Reports On Alleged Past Relationship Between Kim Soo Hyun And Kim Sae Ron
In the same report, Dispatch cited a source—described as a close acquaintance of Kim Soo Hyun—who allegedly stated that there had been an "open secret" relationship between the actor and the late actress. The report quoted the unnamed source as saying, "Kim Sae Ron's age is the issue, which is why they will never officially admit to dating."
March 13, 2025: GOLDMEDALIST Responds As More Photos And Allegations Surface
Following the emergence of additional photos and reported details regarding Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron's alleged relationship, public scrutiny toward the actor has intensified. Online discussions have raised questions about how he might recover from the ongoing controversy, and his social media accounts have reportedly been flooded with comments calling for a response.
In a March 13 statement, GOLDMEDALIST addressed the situation, stating: "GOLDMEDALIST will clarify the facts and respond to the baseless rumors by presenting a clear and substantiated position next week. We sincerely apologize for causing prolonged fatigue and ask for your understanding as we aim to prevent further ongoing reports."
March 13, 2025: Kim Soo Hyun Confirmed To Have Filmed For Good Day
On March 13, 2025, Soompi reported that the actor attended the filming for the variety show, Good Day. The report quoted a representative from the variety show's production team saying that Soo Hyun's participation was minimized during the shoot. "After checking, the filming proceeded as scheduled, but [Kim Soo Hyun’s] participation was minimized," the rep said.
March 14, 2025: GOLDMEDALIST Issues Statement Ahead Of Time
For the first time, GOLDMEDALIST acknowledged that Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were in a romantic relationship. However, the agency firmly denied speculation that their relationship began when Sae Ron was still a minor. According to their statement, the two stars started dating in the summer of 2019 and were together until the fall of 2020.
GOLDMEDALIST also refuted claims that Kim Soo Hyun pressured Kim Sae Ron to repay the estimated 700 million Korean won spent to settle her fine following her 2022 drunk driving incident. The agency reiterated that they assisted Sae Ron in managing her financial obligations, which initially amounted to approximately 1.014 billion Korean won.
Kim Soo Hyun is reportedly experiencing severe psychological distress amid ongoing allegations and public scrutiny. In the same statement addressing the controversy, GOLDMEDALIST urged an end to the speculation, asserting that the actor has become the victim of baseless claims propagated by the YouTube channel HoverLab Inc. (also known as Garo Sero Research Institute).
Read GOLDMEDALIST's full statement here.
*** This is a developing story. ***
If you feel that you need help and advice for yourself or anyone else, please contact The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline, a 24/7 confidential services hotline for psychiatric emergencies, suicidal thoughts, depression, and other issues at (02) 7989-8727 or (0917) 899-8727 (or 0917 899-USAP). You can also reach out to Hopeline, a 24/7 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention hotline in the Philippines, by calling (02) 8804-4673, (0917) 558-4673 (Globe), or (0918) 873-4673 (Smart). Here is a more complete list of hotlines you can reach out to for further assistance.
