Kim Soo Hyun (Photo : GaSeyeon/Youtube)
Actor Kim Soo Hyun, facing allegations of a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron, held a tearful press conference in Seoul on March 31, 2025, and announced a ₩12 billion ($9 million USD) lawsuit against Garo Sero Institute and individuals claiming to be Kim Sae Ron's relatives.
Kim Soo Hyun, in a highly anticipated press conference, addressed the swirling controversy surrounding his relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron, admitting to a past relationship while vehemently denying allegations of grooming and financial pressure. The actor, known for his role in "Queen of Tears," also announced a substantial lawsuit against those he claims are spreading false information.
"I think of myself as a coward. This whole time, I've been focused on keeping what I have. I was unaware of the benevolence extended to me and I was afraid of losing everything. I've been hiding. So it took me a long time to come here," Kim Soo Hyun stated, expressing deep regret for his delayed response and the pain it caused his fans and colleagues.
He detailed a relationship that occurred five years prior, lasting approximately one year, and clarified that it ended four years before "Queen of Tears" aired. Kim Soo Hyun acknowledged the criticism for his initial denial of the relationship, stating, "I believe I deserve the criticism for what I've done."
However, he firmly refuted claims that he had a relationship with Kim Sae Ron while she was underage or that his actions contributed to her tragic death. "I did not have a relationship with her while she was underage, and it is not true that she made a tragic choice because of debt-related pressure from me or my agency," he asserted.
The actor's legal representative announced that criminal complaints and civil lawsuits had been filed against individuals claiming to be relatives of Kim Sae Ron, including an alleged aunt, and the operators of the YouTube channel "Garo Sero Institute." The civil lawsuit seeks ₩12 billion in damages for defamation and emotional distress.
"To clarify the facts, we have decided to pursue both criminal complaints and civil lawsuits against the involved parties," the lawyer stated. "We have filed criminal complaints against individuals claiming to be relatives of the deceased, including a person who identified herself as her aunt, as well as the operators of the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Institute' (Gaseyeon). A civil lawsuit seeking ₩12 billion in damages has also been submitted to the Seoul Central District Court."
The press conference, which lasted 45 minutes, was marked by Kim Soo Hyun's consistent use of the term "the deceased" when referring to Kim Sae Ron. This detail has been widely reported.
The decision to hold a press conference without a Q&A session drew significant criticism from netizens. Online reactions were swift and largely negative, with many expressing frustration over the lack of opportunity for direct questioning. "If there's no Q&A, is that even a press conference? Why not just upload a video to YouTube?" one user commented.
Netizens also speculated about the actor's intentions, with some predicting a tearful performance. "He'll probably cry a river with that amazing acting skill," another user wrote. Others called for his retirement. "Just apologize and announce your retirement. No tearful performance," a commenter stated.
Kim Soo Hyun addressed allegations of manipulated timelines and edited evidence, stating, "They manipulated the timeline of photos and videos. They released edited images of KakaoTalk chats, not the originals. Based on the fact that I once dated the deceased, fake testimonies and forged evidence have kept coming."
He challenged the family to submit their evidence for forensic analysis. "Just like I submitted my KakaoTalk messages for verification, I urge the family to submit all their so-called evidence to the authorities for a proper investigation. If they truly believe it's genuine, then let it be examined legally," he said.
