Kim Soo-hyun is facing mounting scrutiny following allegations that he was romantically involved with the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage, alongside revelations that his agency, Gold Medalist, pressured her to repay a ₩700 million KRW (about $483,000 USD) debt before her death.
The controversy gained traction after a YouTube channel, Hoverlab, claimed the actor had been in a six-year relationship with Kim Sae-ron, beginning when she was 15. The claim has since been refuted by Gold Medalist, which labeled the allegations as "completely false" and warned of "the strongest possible legal action." However, the situation escalated when Hoverlab released a photo showing Kim Soo-hyun kissing Kim Sae-ron on the cheek, fueling further speculation.
Adding to the controversy, Kim Sae-ron's so-called "aunt," a close family friend who has acted as the bereaved family's representative, spoke to Korean media outlet THE FACT about the late actress's financial troubles. She disclosed that Kim Sae-ron struggled with repaying ₩700 million KRW in damages to Studio N, the production company behind the Netflix drama Bloodhounds, after her 2022 DUI incident led to significant production delays.
According to the aunt, Kim Sae-ron told her family that Kim Soo-hyun personally lent her the money, though the loan was officially handled by Gold Medalist. "After the DUI accident, Sae-ron covered all costs for damages, including the broken transformer and repairs to nearby shops, with her own money and without the assistance of her agency. She exhausted every possible resource to repay what she could, but she had no means to pay off the remaining amount," the aunt told THE FACT.
She also criticized the agency's handling of the repayment, stating, "Sending a certified document with the names of three law firm attorneys, demanding that a young woman without the immediate financial means repay ₩700 million KRW, was excessive." The document, sent to Kim Sae-ron before her death, reportedly threatened legal action if the amount was not repaid in full.
Gold Medalist's alleged pressure campaign has sparked widespread debate, with many questioning whether the agency acted in the actress's best interests. Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun's involvement remains under scrutiny, with the aunt stating that the late actress told her family he had a "disagreement with his cousin" over how she was expected to repay the debt. The cousin, identified as Lee Sa-rang, serves as Gold Medalist's Chief Creative Officer.
Beyond the financial dispute, the allegations regarding Kim Soo-hyun's relationship with Kim Sae-ron have placed significant pressure on the actor's career. Viewers have begun calling for his removal from MBC's variety show Good Day, hosted by K-pop star G-Dragon. The controversy also threatens his upcoming Disney+ drama Knock-Off, a series set during the economic turmoil following the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
Corporate sponsors are also facing mounting pressure to respond. Homeplus, a major South Korean grocery chain that recently hired Kim Soo-hyun to revamp its image, stated, "There is no change for now, and we will decide after assessing the situation." CJ Foodville, which owns bakery chain Tous les Jours, has yet to comment on whether it will renew its contract with Kim Soo-hyun when it expires at the end of this month.
As public scrutiny intensifies, the late actress's family continues to demand accountability. The aunt reiterated that Kim Sae-ron's parents opposed her signing with Gold Medalist but were reassured by Kim Soo-hyun himself. "What parent would lie about their deceased child? When Sae-ron left YG Entertainment for Gold Medalist, she insisted they had a special connection. No matter how famous he was, the significant age difference naturally made her parents concerned," she said.
The family is also advocating for stronger regulations against online harassment, citing the role of social media speculation in exacerbating Kim Sae-ron's struggles. "Although Sae-ron is no longer with us, I sincerely hope that, in the future, no more innocent lives are lost due to reckless and irresponsible invasions of privacy," the aunt said, urging Koreans to support an ongoing petition calling for stricter regulations on YouTubers violating celebrities' privacy.
