Was WOODZ the secret boyfriend Kim Sae Ron was allegedly dating after Kim Soo Hyun? Agency responds
Amid ongoing speculation surrounding the late actress Kim Sae Ron and actor Kim Soo Hyun, new claims have surfaced linking another celebrity to the controversy — solo artist WOODZ, formerly of X1 and UNIQ. The buzz was sparked by YouTuber Lee Jin-ho, who alleged that Kim Sae Ron dated a third-generation K-pop idol referred to as “singer A” between 2019 and 2022.
Online clues point to WOODZ
Though Lee Jin-ho did not name the individual, online sleuths were quick to draw connections. Citing similarities in coffee trucks sent to filming sets and social media activity, netizens speculated that the mystery idol could be WOODZ, also known as Jo Seung-youn. One particular coffee cart, allegedly sent by Kim to the set of a music video, resembled one spotted at WOODZ’s shoot — further fuelling the rumours.
The timing of the alleged romance also raised eyebrows. According to Lee Jin-ho, the relationship overlapped with the period during which Kim Sae Ron’s family claimed she had been in a six-year relationship with Kim Soo Hyun.
YouTuber’s claims spark backlash and more questions
Lee Jin-ho, who has repeatedly been at the centre of controversy for his exposés on Korean celebrities, asserted that Kim and WOODZ were essentially an “open couple.” He also claimed that Kim’s emotional distress following the breakup with the singer may have contributed to her DUI incident in May 2022.
He suggested that Kim, after parting ways with WOODZ, missed a dubbing session for her drama ‘Bloodhounds’ and spent the night drinking with close friends, eventually leading to the car crash. He also alleged that Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, was aware of her relationship with the singer and had arranged coffee trucks for the pair.
EDAM Entertainment breaks silence
WOODZ’s agency, EDAM Entertainment, responded to the growing speculation with a brief statement, choosing not to confirm or deny the claims. “Since this concerns the artist’s private life, it’s difficult to confirm. We ask for your understanding (as translated by Kbizoom),” the company stated. The lack of confirmation only intensified curiosity among fans and critics alike.
Currently, WOODZ is serving his mandatory military service and is expected to be discharged on 21 July 2025.
Who is WOODZ?
Jo Seung-youn, better known as WOODZ, is a well-established soloist and former member of the Chinese-Korean group UNIQ. He rose to national prominence after finishing fifth on Mnet’s survival show ‘Produce X 101’ and debuting as part of the now-disbanded boy group X1. Since then, he has carved out a successful solo career with releases such as ‘Equal,’ ‘Love Me Harder,’ ‘Hijack,’ and ‘I Hate You.’
In January 2024, WOODZ enlisted for military service and currently holds the rank of sergeant.
The 24-year-old actress was found dead in her apartment on 16 February — coincidentally the birthday of actor Kim Soo Hyun — and police ruled it a suicide. Her family later accused Soo Hyun of having dated her as a minor and allegedly pressuring her over financial matters.
Media reports also revealed that Kim Sae Ron received a legal notice from Gold Medalist in 2023, demanding compensation linked to the 2022 DUI incident. Addressing the allegations, Soo Hyun said: “It is not true that she had made this tragic choice because of me or my agency pressuring her over a debt.”
Lee Jin-ho, meanwhile, has continued to publish videos on the subject despite facing a defamation lawsuit from Kim Sae Ron’s family. Critics have called him out for dragging unrelated names into the issue — including stars like IU, Park Seo-joon, BTS, and the late Sulli — and for allegedly trying to shift public opinion in Soo Hyun’s favour.