• Source:JND
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Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Sae-Ron dating scandal: On March 10, Kim Soo-Hyun found himself at the center of a controversial situation when a YouTube video went viral, suggesting that he had a romantic relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-Ron. The video claimed that at the time when Kim Soo-Hyun was 27 years old, Kim Sae-Ron was only 15, which quickly stirred up a storm of speculation and public outrage. This sparked a heated exchange of statements and counterclaims between Kim Soo-Hyun and the YouTube channel responsible for the video, further fueling the controversy. Despite the ongoing back-and-forth between the actor and the content creators, the situation has shown no signs of subsiding. 

The controversy surrounding this video has only been exacerbated by the tragic death of Kim Sae-Ron in February of this year, adding a layer of sensitivity to the entire matter. As the case continues to unfold, there are growing concerns about how Kim Soo-Hyun became entangled in the scandal, with many questioning the motives behind the video's claims and the implications for the actor's reputation.

What did the viral video state?

Garosero Research Institute, run by YouTuber Kim Se-Ui, uploaded a video featuring Kim Sae-Ron's aunt, who claimed Kim Soo-Hyun and Sae-Ron dated from 2015-2022, starting when she was 15 and he was 27. The aunt alleged Sae-Ron helped Soo-Hyun establish his management company, GOLD MEDALIST, in 2019, providing free labour.

The DUI Incident

Kim Sae-Ron's aunt claimed that after Sae-Ron's 2022 drunk driving accident, Kim Soo-Hyun and GOLD MEDALIST helped her, paying around $483,000 in damages. Sae-Ron was grateful, calling Soo-Hyun a "good guy" and expressing her desire to eventually repay him. However, things allegedly changed after her contract with GOLD MEDALIST ended.

During the airing of Queen of Tears, Kim Sae-Ron posted a photo with Kim Soo-Hyun on Instagram in hopes of getting his attention and prompting him to call her back. However, the actor and his agency responded with an official statement that negatively portrayed Kim Sae-Ron, while remaining unreachable. In a video, her aunt claimed that Kim Sae-Ron, unable to repay a ₩700 million KRW ($483,000) debt, was struggling financially and died by suicide on Kim Soo-Hyun’s birthday, February 16. Sae-Ron's family also stated that they have "plenty of proof" of her six-year relationship with the actor, which they plan to reveal through the Garosero Research Institute.

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Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae-Ron dating scandal (Image:

The company rejected all claims made by the aunt in the video and stated, "These malicious accusations against the company and Kim Soo Hyun are completely untrue and unacceptable. We are currently looking into pursuing the strongest possible legal action against Garosero Research Institute for spreading false information."

In the aftermath of the controversy, past comments from both Kim Sae-Ron and Kim Soo-Hyun have resurfaced online. In a 2017 interview, Kim Sae-Ron spoke openly about her admiration for him, expressing her wish to work with him in a romantic comedy. She mentioned, "Ever since I was little, I’ve said actor Kim Soo-Hyun whenever people asked which actor I’d like to work with. He’s twelve years older than me, but he looks so young, doesn’t he?"