[Kstarplanet]Kim Soo Hyun Controversy Explained! Top 10 Allegations from Kim Sae ron’s Family & Gold Medalist’s Latest Response
Gold Medalist’s Latest Statement on Kim Sae-ron’s Family’s Allegations
On the 12th, Gold Medalist, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, responded to the latest claims from Kim Sae-ron’s family, stating, "Our position remains unchanged." The agency also addressed multiple allegations raised by the YouTube channel Horizontal Research Institute, asserting, "The claims related to Kim Soo-hyun are clearly false. We are considering taking the strongest legal action against Horizontal Research Institute for spreading misinformation."
Photo of Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun. (Screenshot from soohyun_k216 , ron_sae IG)
The Biggest Scandal in Korean Entertainment Right Now
The latest headlines in the Korean entertainment industry revolve around Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron. The YouTube program Horizontal Research Institute recently released information based on conversations with Kim Sae-ron’s father, mother, and aunt. They claimed that in 2015, Kim Soo-hyun, then 27, began dating Kim Sae-ron, who was only 15 at the time, and that their relationship lasted for six years.
Adding to the controversy, previously unpublished posts from Kim Sae-ron’s Instagram were made public, alleging that Kim Soo-hyun was the final straw that led to her downfall. The posts claimed that Kim Sae-ron was burdened with a KRW 700 million (approx. USD 510,000) debt, leaving her in despair and ultimately leading to her passing.
However, Gold Medalist quickly denied these allegations, calling them baseless rumors. So what is the truth? Here’s a breakdown of the key events:
Photo of Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun. (Screenshot from ron_sae IG)
May 2022: Kim Sae-ron’s DUI Incident & Financial Troubles
On May 18, 2022, Kim Sae-ron was involved in a DUI accident in Gangnam, Seoul, where she crashed into a guardrail, trees, and an electrical transformer, causing power outages that affected businesses, traffic signals, and the surrounding area.
She publicly apologized and pledged to compensate for the damages, but the total costs—including fines, penalties, and damages—amounted to KRW 700 million (approx. USD 510,000).
Gold Medalist, the agency co-founded by Kim Soo-hyun and his relatives, initially covered part of her settlement and penalty fees. However, they later clarified that Kim Sae-ron was responsible for repaying the debt herself, without specifying a repayment deadline. In December 2022, Gold Medalist officially terminated their contract with her.
Following the incident, Kim Sae-ron’s career plummeted—her roles in dramas were cut, and she was blacklisted by TV networks. Struggling to make ends meet, she took on part-time jobs, but reportedly fell into depression due to financial stress.
March 2024: The Viral “Cheek-to-Cheek” Photo with Kim Soo-hyun
In March 2024, Kim Sae-ron uploaded a photo on Instagram showing her cheek-to-cheek with Kim Soo-hyun. Although she deleted it shortly after, the post ignited rumors about their past relationship, placing Kim Soo-hyun, who was starring in Queen of Tears at the time, at the center of a media storm.
Gold Medalist swiftly denied the rumors, stating: "There is no truth to these dating allegations." They clarified that the two were only former colleagues, and the image was an old photo. The agency also expressed confusion over Kim Sae-ron’s motive for posting it.
At the same time, a 2020 anonymous post resurfaced, hinting at Kim Soo-hyun’s alleged preference for dating younger actresses. The claims included:
"A top star only dates young women."
"He prefers dating actresses who started as child stars."
"He has also dated idol-turned-actresses."
Additionally, a controversial remark from 2013 was brought back into discussion. While promoting the film Secretly, Greatly, Kim Soo-hyun was asked about his ideal age for marriage. He responded: "I plan to get married at 36, but I don't think I can stick to that plan. Now, I wonder—how about marrying at 41 to someone who's 21?"
However, most fans believe this was merely a lighthearted exchange between Kim Soo-hyun and the interviewer and should not be taken seriously.
As for the cheek-to-cheek photo controversy, the issue was largely settled after Kim Sae-ron apologized on Instagram for causing inconvenience to her colleagues. Most netizens also agreed that the photo simply reflected a close friendship between former colleagues from the same agency.
Korea News Livestream Explains Kim Soo Hyun's Dating Rumors with Late Actress Kim Sae Ron
