BREAKING: Kim Soo Hyun Admits To Having Dated Kim Sae Ron But From 2019 To 2020, Agency Releases Official Detailed Statement
Actor Kim Soo Hyun has responded to allegations that he dated the late Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor.
On March 14, his agency, Gold Medalist, issued an official statement addressing the recent claims made on the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute. Although the agency had initially planned to release a statement next week, they changed their decision and addressed the issue earlier.
The agency firmly denied the allegations that Kim Soo Hyun had dated Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor. Their statement is very detailed, here is a table of contents below as well as the break down of each point.
Table of Contents
[Full Statement from Kim Soo Hyun’s Agency]
Hello, this is Gold Medalist.
We are releasing Kim Soo Hyun’s official position regarding the recent reports from Garo Sero Research Institute (hereafter, Gaseyeon).
Gold Medalist initially planned to release a statement next week with verifiable evidence to refute the claims made by Gaseyeon.
However, early this morning, Kim Soo Hyun exhibited extreme psychological distress, and we have taken measures to ensure his absolute stability. Since Gaseyeon’s report, Kim Soo Hyun has been suffering from severe confusion due to allegations that he was responsible for the late Kim Sae Ron’s sudden passing. Furthermore, on the night of March 12, after Gaseyeon’s broadcast, a vehicle with individuals holding cameras remained stationed across from our company’s entrance and in the parking lot until dawn. On March 13, around noon, people holding cameras were seen wandering around the building, further escalating the psychological pressure on Kim Soo Hyun.
Given these circumstances, we decided to urgently release a statement clarifying the key issues. We ask for your understanding regarding this sudden change of plans, as nothing is more important than addressing these matters directly, even if some details may still need further clarification.
Thank you.
[Regarding Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron’s Relationship]
Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after Kim Sae Ron had reached adulthood. The claim that Kim Soo Hyun dated Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor is false.
The photos that Kim Sae Ron posted on her Instagram Story in the early hours of March 24, 2024, and the images revealed by Garo Sero Research Institute on March 11, 2025, were all taken on the same day during the winter of 2020 when the two were dating. At the time, Kim Sae Ron was wearing clothing from a brand that released the item in June 2019, making it impossible for the photos to have been taken in 2016 when she was still a minor.
Additionally, the photo released by Gaseyeon on March 12, 2025, was taken on December 24, 2019, Christmas Eve, and we have secured the metadata for this image (attached below). The photo revealed on March 13 was also taken on the same day, as evidenced by the identical outfits worn in both images.
All the photos presented by Gaseyeon as “evidence” that Kim Soo Hyun was in a relationship with Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor were, in fact, taken after she had reached adulthood. The claim that these photos date back to 2016 is impossible, as the two were not in a relationship at that time.
[Regarding the letters Kim Soo Hyun sent to Kim Sae Ron]
The letter Kim Soo Hyun sent to Kim Sae Ron during his military service was one of many letters he wrote to close acquaintances. As evident from its contents, Kim Soo Hyun was adjusting to military life and frequently shared details of his daily routine with friends. The phrase “I miss you” was used in a casual context, as many soldiers do when writing to close friends during their service.
However, Gaseyeon distorted the narrative by claiming that the two had been dating since 2015, misrepresenting photos taken after Kim Sae Ron became an adult as if they were from her teenage years. They also placed a postcard sent after their relationship began alongside the military letter, making an ordinary letter appear like a romantic one. Additionally, the nickname Kim Sae Ron publicly used on social media since 2016 was misrepresented as a private pet name between the two.
There has been significant criticism directed at Kim Soo Hyun regarding this relationship. While the relationship between two consenting adults is a private matter, it is understandable that someone as widely loved as Kim Soo Hyun is subject to public scrutiny. If that scrutiny includes harsh criticism, it must be taken seriously. However, due to Gaseyeon’s reports, a flood of misinformation and false claims continues to spread as if they were factual.
The informant who appeared on Gaseyeon’s broadcast, making numerous allegations, claimed to be a member of Kim Sae Ron’s family. However, according to a media report, this person is actually an acquaintance of Kim Sae Ron’s mother. Using an informant whose identity is unclear, Gaseyeon distorted the truth based on a handful of manipulated photos and generated rumors without verifying the facts with those involved.
The forced exposure of Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron’s personal lives, along with the widespread speculation and misinformation, has caused immense distress not only to them but also to their close ones. The public is entitled to form opinions on Kim Soo Hyun’s decisions following these revelations. However, it is deeply painful that the story of two adults who dated and broke up is now being distorted and spread with countless falsehoods. No one should have to endure such suffering over their private life. Furthermore, delving into and defaming the personal life of someone who has passed away is an act of grave disrespect.
[ The Claim That Kim Soo Hyun Ignored Kim Sae Ron’s Financial Difficulties Is False ]
Due to Gaseyeon’s report, Kim Soo Hyun has been painted as a villain who drove Kim Sae Ron to her death. Gaseyeon claimed that his agency, Gold Medalist, pressured Kim Sae Ron to repay the debts incurred from her DUI incident and that when she sought help, Kim Soo Hyun turned his back on her. This led to speculation that she had no choice but to take extreme measures. However, this is completely false. At that time, Gold Medalist paid off the remaining debt that Kim Sae Ron could not handle on her own.
After the DUI incident, Gold Medalist worked alongside Kim Sae Ron to address various penalties related to her acting contracts and compensate the business owners who suffered damages due to the accident. The total penalties from the accident amounted to approximately 1.14 billion KRW. Throughout the settlement process, the agency made efforts to minimize her financial burden by negotiating the amount. As a result of Kim Sae Ron’s efforts to repay the debt, the remaining compensation was reduced to 700 million KRW.
One of the ways this reduction was achieved was through the repair and sale of Kim Sae Ron’s severely damaged vehicle. At her request, Gold Medalist facilitated the repairs and sale of the car, using part of the proceeds to cover damages. The informant who appeared on Gaseyeon falsely claimed that the agency “took away” Kim Sae Ron’s vehicle. This is a complete distortion of the truth.
< Breakdown of Penalties Due to the DUI Incident >
- Keds (Advertisement): 390,000,000 won
- “Bloodhounds” (Drama): 700,000,000 won
- Damages to Affected Businesses: 24,361,852 won
- Total: 1,114,361,852 won
Despite her efforts, Kim Sae Ron faced significant difficulties resuming her career after the DUI incident, making it practically impossible for her to repay the remaining amount. Recognizing that she no longer had the financial means to pay off her debt, Gold Medalist decided to absorb the outstanding balance.
As a result, in December 2023, Gold Medalist officially wrote off Kim Sae Ron’s remaining debt as a loss provision. This can be confirmed in the company’s April 1, 2024, audit report, where the full amount of outstanding claims against Kim Sae Ron was processed as a bad debt expense.
Why Gold Medalist Had to Follow Legal Procedures
Gold Medalist was legally required to follow appropriate procedures when handling Kim Sae Ron’s financial situation. If the company had arbitrarily covered her penalty fees without proper documentation, the company’s executives could have been accused of breach of fiduciary duty (업무상배임죄). Additionally, such an expense might not have been recognized as a deductible company expense, leading to further financial complications.
Moreover, during Gold Medalist’s early 2024 accounting audit, the company had to determine how to classify its claims against Kim Sae Ron. Legal and accounting firms advising on the audit warned that if Gold Medalist simply forgave the debt without any collection attempts, it could be considered an unjustified financial loss, again putting company executives at risk of breach of fiduciary duty.
To prove that Kim Sae Ron’s debt was unrecoverable, Gold Medalist needed evidence showing that efforts were made to collect it. This is why the company sent a certified demand letter (내용증명) to Kim Sae Ron. This step was necessary to document that the company had not arbitrarily waived its claims.
Additionally, there were concerns about gift tax liability for Kim Sae Ron. If her remaining debt was written off, she might have been legally obligated to pay taxes on the forgiven amount. The text message she sent to Kim Soo Hyun on March 19, 2024, regarding her debt, was written in this context.
Clarification on Kim Soo Hyun’s Involvement
The financial issues between Kim Sae Ron and Gold Medalist were strictly between her and the company. The claim that Kim Soo Hyun personally lent money to Kim Sae Ron or demanded repayment is entirely false. Kim Soo Hyun never loaned money to Kim Sae Ron, nor did he attempt to collect any debt from her. He had no authority or involvement in such matters.
At the time, Kim Sae Ron had already left Gold Medalist and lacked sufficient legal knowledge about her financial obligations. As a result, she mistakenly contacted Kim Soo Hyun, who was not a creditor in this situation. However, Kim Soo Hyun had no knowledge of the ongoing financial matters between Kim Sae Ron and Gold Medalist.
By March 2024, Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron had already been separated for four years. Upon receiving her message, Kim Soo Hyun consulted Gold Medalist to understand the situation. Gold Medalist advised him not to respond directly, stating:
“It appears that the other party lacks legal knowledge and may have misunderstandings. Responding without professional guidance would not be appropriate. The company will work with legal experts and Kim Sae Ron’s agency to clarify any misunderstandings and resolve the matter smoothly.”
Gold Medalist also explained the purpose of the certified demand letter (내용증명) to Kim Soo Hyun, ensuring he had a clear understanding of the situation.
On March 26, 2024, Kim Sae Ron’s legal representative officially acknowledged the efforts made by Gold Medalist and expressed gratitude for the company’s support. The representative further stated that Kim Sae Ron was willing to take responsibility for the financial damages and sought to discuss a repayment plan. This marked the end of all financial disputes between Gold Medalist and Kim Sae Ron.
After this, Gold Medalist never once demanded repayment from Kim Sae Ron. As a result, it is logical to assume that Kim Sae Ron considered herself free of financial obligations to the company. Connecting her tragic passing a year later to this matter is not only unfounded but deeply malicious.
Gold Medalist acted with care and understanding, ensuring that Kim Sae Ron would not have to pay gift taxes despite the company writing off her debt. Additionally, the company set the interest and late fees at 0%, further easing her financial burden. However, these actions have now been twisted into claims of financial pressure, and even worse, they have been falsely portrayed as the cause of her tragic passing. This misrepresentation is deeply distressing.
Who Benefits from Unauthorized Privacy Violations?
The narrative surrounding this case has been manipulated through misleading visual evidence and altered timelines:
- A photo of an adult Kim Sae Ron was falsely claimed to be from when she was 16 years old.
- A family acquaintance was misrepresented as an aunt.
- A single message screenshot was taken out of context to paint Gold Medalist’s support as financial coercion.
As a result, a debt resolution from a year ago has been falsely linked to her recent passing.
This distorted story has dragged Kim Soo Hyun into the controversy, making him the scapegoat for a tragedy he had nothing to do with. His past actions are now being reinterpreted as deliberate malice, fueled by unverified claims. Furthermore, unauthorized leaks of his private life—accompanied by sensationalized images—are now being used to spread further falsehoods.
The allegations about Kim Soo Hyun’s past relationship with Kim Sae Ron have been exaggerated to fit a pre-existing narrative. These distortions are being rapidly spread online, birthing countless fake news articles that paint him as a villain.
Once a target is chosen, misleading fragments of information are compiled and the bigger picture is erased. This creates a false truth that is nearly impossible to refute entirely. No matter how much evidence is provided, misinformation continues to spread, making it impossible for the accused to clear their name completely.
The photos of the two people released by Gaseyeon are indeed real. However, that does not make Gaseyeon’s claims the truth. A few pieces of evidence that can grab the public’s attention are thrown out, the context behind them is removed, and as a result, the truth is distorted, causing a lot of people to suffer. As we mentioned earlier, the public’s views and criticism of Kim Soo Hyun are something that should naturally be accepted. However, just because Kim Soo Hyun is a public figure does not mean that all the false accusations and personal attacks should be automatically accepted.
The reactions to Kim Soo Hyun’s private life, whether they have been exposed already or will be in the future, are something that he will have to endure. However, we want to ask if it is acceptable for two adults’ extremely private matters to be disclosed without consent and if he must endure everything that comes with the unauthorized disclosure of their private lives.
What do you think of their statement?
Source: A
