Kim Soo-Hyun Denies Accusations in Controversy Surrounding Late Actress Kim Sae-ron
Seoul, South Korea — South Korean star Kim Soo-Hyun has publicly denied allegations made by the family of actress Kim Sae-ron, who tragically died in February, reportedly due to suicide. In an emotional press conference on Monday, Kim tearfully addressed the claims, asserting that he never dated Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor.
“I can’t admit to something I didn’t do,” said Kim, as he fought back tears. “I never dated her when she was a minor.”
At the center of the controversy are allegations that Kim Soo-Hyun dated Kim Sae-ron when she was 15 and that his agency pressured her to repay a loan. Kim, 37, revealed that while they had a relationship, it was after Kim Sae-ron turned 18, in 2019.
Accusations and Legal Back-and-Forth ⚖️
The accusations surfaced in March, just weeks after Kim Sae-ron's death. A controversial YouTube channel claimed the two had been in a relationship from when she was 15. Following this, the attorney for Kim Sae-ron's family released messages reportedly between the two, allegedly dating back to 2016 when Kim Sae-ron was 16.
Kim Soo-Hyun's agency initially denied the allegations but later confirmed that they did date in 2019-2020 when Kim Sae-ron was an adult. Kim clarified that, despite being a public figure, he chose to keep their relationship private, fearing potential repercussions for his career.
“I had so much to protect as its lead actor. What would have happened if I had admitted to a year-long relationship?” Kim explained.
The Debt Controversy 💸
Further complicating matters, Kim Sae-ron's family claimed her debt issues, including a fine from a 2022 drunk-driving incident, were at the heart of her emotional turmoil. They allege that Kim Soo-Hyun’s agency pushed her for repayment, leading to her tragic decision. Kim Soo-Hyun, however, firmly denied this, releasing a voice recording from a year ago in which his agency explained that the debt request was merely procedural, with no pressure to settle immediately.
In his defense, Kim Soo-Hyun also accused Kim Sae-ron's family of manipulating evidence to support their case.
Backlash and Legal Action 🏛️
Kim Soo-Hyun’s legal team has filed a criminal complaint and a civil lawsuit against Kim Sae-ron’s family and the YouTube channel for defamation, seeking damages amounting to 12 billion won. Meanwhile, his career has been impacted by the scandal, with several major brands, including Prada, severing ties with him, and his upcoming Disney+ show reportedly put on hold.
As of now, Kim Sae-ron’s family has not publicly commented on the legal actions or Kim Soo-Hyun's recent statements.
What are your thoughts on the ongoing controversy surrounding Kim Soo-Hyun? Let us know below.
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