South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has publicly denied allegations that he dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. In an emotional press conference in Seoul, the 37-year-old said, “I can't admit to something I didn't do.”
The scandal erupted in March, just weeks after Kim Sae-ron’s apparent suicide in February. Allegations surfaced on a controversial YouTube channel claiming that the pair dated for six years, beginning when Kim Sae-ron was 15. The channel released purported evidence, including photos and chat histories.
Last week, the actress's family held a press conference, presenting more alleged messages from 2016, when she was 16. Kim Soo-hyun’s agency initially denied the claims but later clarified that the two dated between 2019 and 2020, when Kim Sae-ron was an adult.
Fighting back tears, Kim stated, “I never dated her when she was a minor. Except for the fact that both of us were actors, our relationship was just like that of any other ordinary couple.” He also dismissed claims that his agency pressured her to repay a loan, releasing a voice recording suggesting that repayment was not urgent.
He also explained why he denied the relationship when she uploaded a later-deleted photo of the two of them to her Instagram account in 2024 during the airing of Netflix hit show Queen of Tears, in which he played the lead role.
"I had so much to protect as its lead actor. What would have happened if I had admitted to a year-long relationship? What would happen to the actors, the staff who were working overnight and the production team who had everything staked on that project?" he said. "The more I thought of it, the more I thought that shouldn't be what I do."
The actor is pursuing legal action, including a 12 billion won lawsuit against Kim Sae-ron’s family and the YouTube channel. He also accused the family of manipulating evidence and urged them to submit records for verification.
Kim, known for hit dramas like ‘My Love from the Star’ and ‘Queen of Tears’, has faced significant fallout, with brands distancing themselves and a Disney+ project put on hold. He apologized to fans, saying, “Many people are suffering because of me. I feel sorry that the late actress isn’t able to rest in peace.”