South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has denied allegations made by the family of late actress Kim Sae-ron, who died in an apparent suicide in February. In a tearful press conference in Seoul, 37-year-old Kim Soo-hyun said he couldn’t admit to something he didn’t do.
The controversy centers around two allegations: that Kim Soo-hyun dated Kim Sae-ron when she was underage and that his agency pressured her to repay a loan she owed him. Kim Soo-hyun vehemently denied both claims, stating they never dated when she was 15 years old and that their relationship was like any other ordinary couple.
The scandal has shocked South Korea’s entertainment industry and generated a backlash against Kim Soo-hyun. His agency initially denied the allegations but later confirmed they did date between 2019-2020. Kim Sae-ron herself was fined 20 million won for a drink-driving incident in 2022, and her family claims her agency pursued legal action for repayment.
Kim Soo-hyun released a phone call recording that allegedly showed his agency’s explanation for sending the debt document to Kim Sae-ron. He accused Kim Sae-ron’s family of manipulating chat records as evidence and urged them to submit their own evidence for verification.
The actor has been a favorite among advertisers, but many brands have distanced themselves from him amid the controversy. His latest roles have also been put on pause due to the scandal.
Kim Soo-hyun’s lawyer stated that they had filed a criminal complaint against Kim Sae-ron’s family and the YouTube channel operator, along with a civil lawsuit for damages worth 12 billion won.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx278d4702xo