South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has become embroiled in a major controversy following the death of actress Kim Sae-ron, after claims emerged about their alleged past relationship. A YouTube channel recently alleged that the two had been secretly dating for six years, beginning when Kim Sae-ron was 15. The claims, which quickly went viral, have been strongly refuted by Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist.
The allegations: What did Garosero Research Institute claim?
On 10 March 2025, the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, known for its controversial exposes, uploaded a video in which Kim Sae-ron’s aunt alleged that the late actress was in a long-term secret relationship with Kim Soo-hyun. According to the claims, their romance began on 19 November 2015 and lasted until 7 July 2021, starting when Kim Sae-ron was only 15 and Kim Soo-hyun was 27.
The controversy escalated further when reports surfaced suggesting that Kim Sae-ron had planned to disclose their relationship via social media in March 2024, though she later deleted the post under unclear circumstances. Additionally, it was alleged that Kim Soo-hyun distanced himself from her after her DUI scandal in May 2022, which had a severe impact on her career.
Another major claim made against Gold Medalist was that the agency mistreated Kim Sae-ron, reportedly forcing her to repay 700 million won before her death. Speculation intensified due to the fact that Kim Sae-ron passed away on 16 February 2025, the same day as Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday.
In the video, the YouTuber stated, “Kim Sae Ron wanted to share her truth, but she was silenced. She was preparing to expose her six-year relationship with Kim Soo Hyun, but she was pressured into deleting everything.”
The allegations rapidly spread online, sparking widespread debate among fans and the public.
Kim Soo-hyun’s response: Denial and legal action
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, issued a firm denial shortly after the claims gained traction.
“The claims made by Garosero Research Institute about Kim Soohyun in their YouTube live broadcast are completely false. They alleged that our company and Kim Soohyun colluded with YouTuber Lee Jinho to harass the late actress Kim Saeron. They also claimed that Kim Soohyun was in a relationship with the late Kim Saeron when she was 15 years old, that our agency's handling of her DUI incident was inappropriate, and that one of our managers had personal ties with YouTuber Lee Jinho. These are all baseless and malicious claims that we can not tolerate. As such, we are reviewing the strongest possible legal actions against Garosero Research Institute for spreading false information.”
The agency condemned the spread of false information, describing it as “cyber harassment” and announced plans to take legal action against those responsible for propagating the allegations.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of the late Kim Saeron, who was once part of our agency, and we mourn her loss. However, the dissemination of such false information by Garosero Research Institute directly continues the very same cyber harassment that caused her great distress during her lifetime, this is merely an act of slandering our company and the late actress for their own benefit. We will respond to this matter with strict legal actions. We sincerely urge that these baseless rumors not be circulated, exaggerated, or repeated.”
Gold Medalist also urged the media and the public to refrain from amplifying the rumours out of respect for Kim Sae-ron’s passing.
Kim Sae-ron’s deleted post: Any evidence of the relationship?
One of the key discussion points in the controversy is Kim Sae-ron’s deleted Instagram post from March 2024. Some reports suggest she had uploaded a selfie with Kim Soo-hyun before quickly removing it, leading to speculation that she had intended to make their relationship public. However, no definitive evidence links the post to the alleged romance.
Sources close to Kim Sae-ron stated that she had been facing financial and emotional struggles following her DUI incident in 2022, which resulted in her departure from Gold Medalist in December of that year. A friend of Kim Sae-ron commented, “She was going through a lot. She had issues with money, and people were turning their backs on her. But she never spoke about any relationship with Kim Soo Hyun.”
Garosero Research Institute’s response
Despite legal threats from Gold Medalist, Garosero Research Institute refused to back down. In a defiant post, they mocked the agency’s response.
“Legal action? Even BTS once said they would take ‘legal action’ against us, but they all enlisted in the army instead. Kim Soo Hyun, who’s only popular in China, thinks he can take us down? Hilarious.”
They further challenged the agency to file a lawsuit, claiming their sources came directly from Kim Sae-ron’s family. “If we’re lying, why not sue Kim Sae Ron’s family too? We have direct interviews with them.”
New claims and evidence
The controversy deepened when the YouTube channel released additional materials allegedly provided by Kim Sae-ron’s family. These included a text message from Kim Sae-ron dated 19 March 2023, which reportedly showed her pleading for financial assistance.
In the message, Kim Sae-ron wrote, “Oppa, it’s Sae-ron. I received the content-certified letter. You’re suing me... I’ve been preparing for my return to acting, and I plan to repay you gradually from each project. It’s not that I won’t pay, but I just can’t manage 700 million won all at once. Please give me time. I’m begging you, please help me.”
The channel also revealed a photo of Kim Soo-hyun allegedly kissing Kim Sae-ron on the cheek, which was said to be taken in 2016 when she was still a minor. Additionally, a letter from Kim Sae-ron dated 24 March 2023 surfaced, in which she claimed: “Though the media reported that the dating rumors were groundless, I want to make it clear that’s not true. The photo I uploaded was from 2016. Our relationship lasted from Nov. 19, 2015 to July 7, 2021. I was 16, and he was 30.”
Her mother also released a statement through the YouTube channel, saying, “Speaking again about a daughter who is no longer with me is painful, but I want to restore her name from the damage caused by false reports. I hope she is remembered as the respected actress she was, not as a tabloid figure.”
Public reaction
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency has remained firm in its stance, labelling the accusations “baseless falsehoods” and vowing to take further legal action. Gold Medalist denounced the allegations as an example of “cyber wrecking”, a form of online harassment that Kim Sae-ron had struggled with during her life.
Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun has faced a wave of backlash on social media, with many calling for his removal from the variety show he is currently appearing in.
Kim Sae-ron’s death
Kim Sae Ron, 24, was found dead at her residence in Seoul’s Seongdong District on 16 February, the same day as Kim Soo Hyun’s birthday. According to Korean media reports, police ruled her death as a suicide. Kim Soo Hyun reportedly did not attend her memorial.
Published: 12 Mar 2025, 09:53 am IST
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