A new round of allegations and legal action emerged Tuesday in the ongoing controversy involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron and actor Kim Soo-hyun. At a press conference in Seoul, the family of Kim Sae-ron, alongside their legal counsel Bu Ji Seok and HoverLab Inc. CEO Kim Se Eui, released an audio recording they claim supports their allegation that Kim Soo-hyun had an illicit relationship with Kim while she was a minor.
The legal representative stated that Kim Sae-ron, who passed away earlier this year, met with a whistleblower in New Jersey in January and voluntarily recorded a 90-minute conversation detailing her past relationship with Kim Soo-hyun. The whistleblower was reportedly stabbed nine times on April 30 by two individuals-one Korean and one Chinese-after refusing to sell the recording. The case is now under investigation by the FBI, according to the attorney.
In the audio played at the press event, Kim Sae-ron stated, "I dated Soo Hyun oppa. You might say I'm crazy and not believe me, but I dated him since I was in middle school, and we broke up after I went to college." She further alleged, "Soo Hyun oppa and those GOLDMEDALIST people are really scary and will do anything."
Kim's family has now filed a criminal complaint against Kim Soo-hyun for violating Article 17, Clause 2 of the Child Welfare Act, which criminalizes obscene acts and sexual harassment involving minors. "The family has confirmed that Kim Soo Hyun forced the late Kim Sae Ron, when she was a minor in her second year of middle school during winter break, to engage in obscene acts," Bu Ji Seok stated.
The family also filed an additional complaint for false accusation, following Kim Soo-hyun's defamation lawsuit against them. "Nevertheless, Kim Soo Hyun filed a complaint against the family for defamation... in response, the family has filed a complaint... on the grounds that he is attempting to have the family criminally punished by making false claims," the lawyer said.
Kim Soo-hyun previously denied any relationship with Kim Sae-ron during her minor years. In a March press conference, he acknowledged having dated her but claimed the relationship began only after she became an adult. Soo-hyun said that she was in a relationship with someone else before she passed away, noting his confusion over the current accusations.
Goldmedalist, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, has strongly pushed back against the family's claims. "We have serious concerns about the continued spread of false information related to Kim Soo Hyun," the agency said in a statement issued ahead of the press conference. "We sincerely ask that... they first try to fact-check with us to prevent the spread and reproduction of false information that could result in unfair damages to the related parties."
Tensions surrounding the case have escalated amid reports that the whistleblower who assisted Kim Sae-ron's family was approached with an offer to purchase the recording for "several billion won," or millions of dollars. After refusing, the individual was seriously injured. The family alleges that the assailant was a Joseonjok (ethnic Korean of Chinese nationality) who had recently entered the U.S.
Additionally, the family reported sightings of suspicious vehicles near Kim Sae-ron's aunt's residence and requested police protection. "We earnestly request police protection for the bereaved family and for CEO Kim Se Eui," Bu Ji Seok said.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has reportedly received the case for further investigation.
