Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has vehemently denied allegations that he groomed and dated the late Netflix star Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor.
During a surprise press conference on Monday in Seoul, South Korea, the 37-year-old Soo-hyun tearfully addressed accusations that he dated Sae-ron — who died by suicide at age 24 on Soo-hyun’s birthday in February — when she was 15. South Korea defines juveniles as anybody under 19.
“I can’t admit something I didn’t do,” Soo-hyun told press, according to the BBC.
While Soo-hyun admitted that the pair had dated for a year when Sae-ron was an adult, he denied ever having dated her when she was underage.
“I never dated her when she was a minor,” he said. “Except for the fact that both of us were actors, our relationship was just like that of any other ordinary couple.”
Soo-hyun’s remarks come weeks after he found himself at the center of the scandal, which first erupted when a YouTube channel published videos and photos of the two actors, claiming they had been in a six-year relationship that allegedly began when Sae-ron was 15.
Kim Soo-hyun (left) denied dating Kim Sae-ron when she was underage (Getty Images)
Last week, the attorney representing Sae-ron’s family held a press conference and revealed further messaging history allegedly shared between the two actors from 2016, when she was 16.
Soo-hyun’s agency initially denied the family’s allegations before later clarifying that the two had dated from 2019 to 2020 when Sae-ron was an adult.
At Monday’s press conference, Soo-hyun defended his previous denial of their relationship in 2024 when Sae-ron posted a later-deleted Instagram photo of them during the airing of his Netflix romance drama Queen of Tears.
“I had so much to protect as its lead actor,” he explained. “What would have happened if I had admitted to a year-long relationship? What would happen to the actors, the staff who were working overnight and the production team who had everything staked on that project? The more I thought of it, the more I thought that shouldn’t be what I do.”
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Admissions of any romantic relationships within the South Korean entertainment industry are typically seen as scandalous, as celebrities’ personal lives are often subject to intense scrutiny by fans.
Kim Sae-ron died by suicide in February at the age of 24 (AP)
The controversy, which has since rocked the South Korean entertainment industry, additionally involves accusations that Soo-hyun’s agency, GoldMedalist, pressured Sae-ron to repay a debt she owed him prior to her death.
In 2022, Sae-ron faced a period of professional difficulty after a 2022 drunk driving incident, for which she received a court fine of 20 million won ($14,000).
Sae-ron’s family claimed that GoldMedalist, to which she had also been signed from 2020 to 2022, covered her legal fines. However, GoldMedalist took legal action against Sae-ron for repayment and ignored her request for more time to come up with the money, her family alleged.
Soo-hyun denied those claims at Monday’s press conference, saying that Sae-ron did not make “the tragic choice because of me or my agency pressuring her over a debt.”
“Many people are suffering because of me,” Soo-hyun added, apologizing to his fans and staff. “I also feel sorry that the late actress [Kim Sae-ron] isn’t able to rest in peace.”
(Pictured in 2014) Kim Soo-hyun’s career has faced significant damage in the wake of the controversy (Getty Images)
Soo-hyun’s career has faced significant damage in the wake of the scandal. Several brands, including Prada and Korean cosmetics company Dinto, have since ended their partnerships with him. Meanwhile, Disney+ has reportedly paused a show starring Soo-hyun due to the controversy, according to local news agency Yonhap.
The actor’s legal team has filed criminal complaints against Kim Sae-ron’s family, as well as the YouTube channel, along with a civil lawsuit seeking damages of KRW12 billion (approximately $8.1 million).
The Independent has reached out to GoldMedalist for comment.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email [email protected], or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
