On March 31, 2025, renowned South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference to address recent allegations concerning his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. The 37-year-old actor firmly denied claims that he had dated Kim Sae-ron while she was underage, expressing deep distress over the accusations.

Kim Soo-hyun clarified that their romantic involvement occurred five years ago, when Kim Sae-ron was of legal age. Born in July 2000, Kim Sae-ron would have been 19 at the time. He emphasized that their relationship did not begin during her minority and refuted suggestions that his actions contributed to her tragic passing in February at the age of 24. “I did not date the deceased when she was a minor. And it is also not true that the deceased made a tragic choice because of me turning a blind eye,” Kim stated during the conference.

The controversy emerged after a YouTube exposé alleged that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron had been involved in a romantic relationship since 2016, when she was 15 and he was 27. The video presented purported evidence, including screenshots of messages, which Kim Soo-hyun has labeled as false.

In response to these allegations, several brands, including luxury fashion house Prada, have severed ties with the actor. 

Addressing the fallout, Kim Soo-hyun announced legal action against those disseminating the accusations. His legal team has filed lawsuits seeking damages totaling 12 billion won (approximately $8.15 million) and has reported individuals involved in the YouTube exposé for defamation and violations of information protection laws.

The late Kim Sae-ron was once considered a rising star in South Korea’s entertainment industry. However, her career faced challenges following a drunk driving incident in 2022, which led to significant public scrutiny.

In the wake of the controversy, Kim Soo-hyun’s professional engagements have been impacted. A fan meeting in Taiwan, initially scheduled for March 30, was canceled due to “schedule adjustments,” resulting in a reported penalty of approximately 1.3 billion won. Despite this, other events, such as the 2025 Kaohsiung Cherry Blossom Festival in Taiwan, proceeded with his participation as planned.