The press conference held by Kim Soo Hyun to address allegations about his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron took an unexpected turn when a journalist from the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute was reportedly removed from the venue.

According to Koreaboo, Kim Se Ui, a reporter-turned-YouTuber who runs Garo Sero, arrived at the Stanford Hotel in Seoul just before the event commenced at 4:30 pm on March 31 (KST). Prior to attending, he had uploaded a video on his official channel titled “[On-site Dispatch] S*x Offender Kim Soo Hyun Press Conference,” hinting at his presence at the event.

During his live stream from inside the hall, Kim captured footage of the actor entering the room. However, approximately 10 minutes into the broadcast, event organisers and security personnel intervened, prompting his removal from the venue. The stream abruptly cut off following his departure, though he later resumed broadcasting from outside the hotel without further commentary. The incident drew significant attention, with nearly 30,000 viewers tuning in to Garo Sero’s coverage.

Newly released video and photos from 2018 fuel controversy after press conference

Shortly after Kim Soo Hyun’s press conference, Garo Sero intensified the controversy by releasing previously unseen footage from 2018. The video purportedly shows the actor having a meal prepared by Kim Sae Ron, who was 18 at the time. The timing of the footage raised questions, particularly as it coincided with an interview Sae Ron gave that year about her interest in cooking.

Forensic analysis of the clip’s metadata reportedly confirmed it as an MP4 file with an edited date of June 20, 2018, at 11:20 p.m. The footage included an exchange between the pair, in which Kim Sae Ron urged Kim Soo Hyun to eat her dish. Though the video does not definitively prove any wrongdoing, its timing has led to increased speculation regarding the timeline of their relationship.

Garo Sero continued its campaign against the 'Queen of Tears' star by releasing additional images allegedly supporting its claims. Among the leaked pictures were old snapshots from a ski trip in 2018, showing the duo dressed in full ski gear and posing happily together.

The YouTube channel further shared an old image from December 2015, allegedly sent by Kim Soo Hyun to Kim Sae Ron via KakaoTalk when she was 15. Netizens quickly linked the outfit in the picture to her appearance as a host on MBC’s Music Core on the same day, raising further doubts about the actor’s statements.

Fans dismiss Kim Soo Hyun’s tears as insincere

During the press conference, Kim Soo Hyun became visibly emotional while addressing the allegations and the tragic passing of Kim Sae Ron on February 16, 2025. He admitted to dating the actress but vehemently denied any romantic involvement while she was a minor.

Despite his emotional display, public sentiment remained deeply divided. Many netizens accused the actor of staging his tears, dismissing his breakdown as a calculated attempt to gain sympathy. Social media erupted with criticism, with some calling for his retirement from the industry.

Kim Soo Hyun announces legal action

In response to the escalating allegations, Kim Soo Hyun's lawyer announced plans to take legal action against Garo Sero and Kim Sae Ron’s family during the press conference. His lawsuit includes defamation charges amounting to 12 billion won (approx. $8.9 million).

Before the press conference, Kim Soo Hyun's Gold Medalist had reiterated that Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron only began dating in 2019 when she was legally an adul, in a statement. They dismissed claims that their relationship started earlier, asserting that the widely circulated photo was taken in 2020, not in 2015, as alleged.