Korean star Kim Soo-Hyun denies accusations by late actress' family

Kim Soo-hyun, a well-known actor from South Korea, recently faced serious allegations made by the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron. This situation has caused a significant stir in the entertainment industry and among fans. During a press conference held in Seoul, Kim Soo-hyun, visibly emotional, denied the accusations, stating, 'I can't admit to something I didn't do. ' The allegations include claims that he dated Kim Sae-ron when she was just 15 years old, which would make her a minor, and that his agency pressured her to repay a loan she owed him. The news has shocked many in South Korea, where Kim Soo-hyun is celebrated for his roles in numerous hit dramas and films. He explained that while he did date Kim Sae-ron for about a year, it was only when she was an adult, and they never had a relationship while she was underage. This press conference came after weeks of accusations and counter-accusations between the families of the two actors following Kim Sae-ron's tragic death. The scandal first emerged on March 10, just a few weeks after her passing. A controversial YouTube channel claimed that the two had been in a relationship for six years, starting when she was only 15. They released videos and photos that they claimed were taken during their time together. Last week, a lawyer representing Kim Sae-ron's family held a press conference where they revealed chat messages allegedly exchanged between the two actors from 2016, when Kim Sae-ron was 16. Initially, Kim Soo-hyun's agency denied the allegations but later clarified that they did date, but only between 2019 and 2020, when she was already an adult. Kim Soo-hyun had remained silent on the matter until the press conference on Monday, where he expressed his sorrow and reiterated that their relationship was that of two consenting adults. He stated, 'Many people are suffering because of me,' and apologized to his fans and staff. He also expressed regret that Kim Sae-ron could not find peace. He firmly stated, 'I never dated her when she was a minor,' emphasizing that their relationship was similar to that of any ordinary couple. He further explained why he did not acknowledge their relationship when she posted a photo of them together on her Instagram account in 2024, during the airing of the Netflix series Queen of Tears, in which he played the lead role. He said, 'I had so much to protect as its lead actor. What would have happened if I had admitted to a year-long relationship? What would happen to the actors, the staff who were working overnight, and the production team who had everything staked on that project? ' He reflected on the potential consequences of admitting to the relationship and concluded that it was not the right decision. In South Korea, admitting to a romantic relationship can be seen as scandalous, and celebrities' personal lives are often scrutinized intensely by fans. Kim Sae-ron was once regarded as one of the most promising young actresses in South Korea. However, she faced challenges in her career, including being fined for a drink-driving incident in 2022. Before that incident, she was celebrated as a talented actress. At that time, she was managed by the same agency as Kim Soo-hyun, which was co-founded by a relative of his. Kim Sae-ron joined GoldMedalist in January 2020 and left in December 2022. Her family claimed that GoldMedalist covered the costs of her drink-driving fine and later pursued legal action for repayment. They alleged that when Kim Sae-ron asked Kim Soo-hyun for more time to settle her debt, he did not respond. On Monday, Kim Soo-hyun denied the claims that 'she made the tragic choice because of me or my agency pressuring her over a debt. ' He released a voice recording of a phone call from a year ago, allegedly between his agency and Kim Sae-ron's representative. In the recording, the CEO of GoldMedalist explained that the document they sent her regarding the debt was merely for 'procedural reasons' and that her team could take their time to respond. He also accused Kim Sae-ron's family of manipulating chat records as evidence and stated that he had submitted his own evidence to the relevant authorities for verification. He urged her family to do the same. Kim Soo-hyun, who is 37 years old, is an A-list actor in South Korea, known for his roles in many successful drama series and top-grossing films, including My Love from the Star, Netflix's Queen of Tears, and the film Secretly, Greatly. He has also been a favorite among advertisers in the country, although many brands have distanced themselves from him amid the controversy. On March 17, the fashion brand Prada announced that it had mutually decided to end its collaboration with him, following similar moves from Dinto, a Korean cosmetic brand. A Disney+ show featuring Kim Soo-hyun has also been put on hold due to the scandal, according to local news reports. His lawyer stated on Monday that they had filed a criminal complaint against Kim Sae-ron's family and the YouTube channel operator, along with a civil lawsuit for damages worth 12 billion won. Kim Sae-ron's family has not commented on the lawsuits or on Kim Soo-hyun's latest remarks.