The South Korean entertainment industry has been rocked by a controversy surrounding actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late actress Kim Sae-ron. The situation escalated when an old Instagram post by Kim Soo-hyun resurfaced, coinciding with the day of Kim Sae-ron’s death.
Kim Sae-ron was a talented South Korean actress who began her career at a young age. She gained recognition for her roles in films like “A Brand New Life” and “The Man from Nowhere”, earning her the Best New Actress award at the 8th Korean Film Awards. Her career took a hit after a DUI incident in May 2022, following which she stepped away from the public eye. Tragically, Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seoul on February 16, 2025, at the age of 24. The cause of death was reported as suicide.
On February 16, Kim Soo-hyun shared an Instagram post celebrating his birthday, which coincidentally fell on the same day as Kim Sae-ron’s death. The post featured images from his birthday celebration, where he thanked fans for their gifts and well-wishes. The images depicted a venue adorned with balloons and flowers, reflecting a joyful celebration. However, the timing of this post has been met with criticism, especially after allegations from Kim Sae-ron’s family suggesting his involvement in her struggles.
On March 10, 2025, the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute released a video featuring Kim Sae-ron’s aunt, who alleged that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a secret relationship with the actress for six years, starting when she was 15. She further claimed that following Kim Sae-ron’s DUI incident in 2022, Kim Soo-hyun distanced himself from her, and that his agency, Gold Medalist, contributed to her financial hardships.
In response to these serious allegations, Gold Medalist issued a statement firmly denying any involvement, stating, “The claims made by Garosero Research Institute regarding Kim Soo-hyun on YouTube today are completely false.”
The controversy has had a tangible impact on Kim Soo-hyun’s public image. Reports indicate that he has experienced a significant drop in his Instagram followers, losing approximately 450,000 followers, bringing his count down to 20.6 million.
