Korean Actor Kim Soo-Hyun Denies Accusations from Late Kim Sae-Ron’s Family

South Korean star, Kim Soo-hyun has tearfully denied allegations made by the family of late actress Kim Sae-ron, who died by apparent suicide in February. Speaking at a press conference in Seoul on Monday, the 37-year-old stated, “I can’t admit to something I didn’t do.”

The controversy centers around claims that he dated Kim Sae-ron when she was just 15 and that his agency pressured her to repay a loan she owed him. The scandal has sent shockwaves through South Korea’s entertainment industry, sparking backlash against Kim Soo-hyun, who remains one of the country’s most celebrated actors.

Kim Soo-hyun broke down in tears as he publicly addressed accusations made by the family of the deceased. During a press conference on Monday, the 37-year-old actor denied the claims that they had dated while she was underage, stating that they had only been in a relationship when she was an adult. The controversy has been building for weeks, with Kim Sae-ron’s family and Kim Soo-hyun’s camp exchanging accusations following her tragic death. The scandal first emerged on March 10, less than a month after her passing, when a controversial YouTube channel alleged the two had dated for six years, starting when she was just 15. The channel also released photos and videos it claimed showed them together during their supposed relationship.

Last week, Kim Sae-ron’s family’s attorney held a press conference, revealing what they claimed were chat histories between the two actors dating back to 2016, when Kim Sae-ron was 16. Initially, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency denied the allegations but later acknowledged they had dated between 2019 and 2020, when she was an adult.

The actor had stayed silent until Monday, when he appeared emotional, repeating that they had only been a couple as two consenting adults. He expressed regret, apologizing to his fans and the production staff, and said he felt sorrow that Kim Sae-ron couldn’t rest in peace. Explaining why he had denied their relationship when she posted a now-deleted photo of them on her Instagram in 2024, he said the pressure of being the lead actor in Netflix’s Queen of Tears led him to fear the consequences of admitting to a romantic involvement at the time. In South Korea’s entertainment industry, where celebrities’ personal lives are closely watched, any admission of a relationship is often seen as scandalous.

Kim Sae-ron, once seen as one of South Korea’s most promising young actresses, became a target of intense online hate after being fined 20 million won (£11,000; $14,000) for a 2022 drink-driving incident. She was managed by the same agency as Kim Soo-hyun, GoldMedalist, co-founded by his relative, until she left in December 2022. Kim Sae-ron’s family claimed that the agency covered her compensation for the drink-driving fine but later pursued legal action for repayment. They also alleged that when she requested more time to settle the debt, her plea was ignored by Kim Soo-hyun. On Monday, the actor vehemently denied claims that his agency’s pressure or his involvement had contributed to Kim Sae-ron’s tragic decision, releasing a voice recording from a year ago in which GoldMedalist’s CEO clarified that the debt-related document was purely procedural.

The controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun has led to several brands distancing themselves from the actor, including fashion giant Prada, which announced the end of its collaboration with him on March 17. A Disney+ show featuring Kim Soo-hyun has also been put on hold. In response, Kim Soo-hyun’s legal team filed a criminal complaint against Kim Sae-ron’s family and the YouTube channel that spread the allegations, as well as a civil lawsuit for damages worth 12 billion won. His lawyer urged Kim Sae-ron’s family to present their evidence to the authorities for verification, while her family has yet to comment on the lawsuits or the actor’s latest statements.