Following the release of KakaoTalk messages between the late Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun by Kim Sae Ron’s family’s legal representative, questions arose regarding the authenticity of the chat logs. Allegations of doctoring or editing the messages were addressed by Attorney Bu Ji Seok, the lawyer representing Kim Sae Ron’s bereaved family, in response to an inquiry from CBS No Cut News on March 28, 2025.
Clarification on the Chat Logs
Attorney Bu Ji Seok carefully stated that while he could not confirm if the released chats had undergone forensic analysis, he firmly maintained that “the images released were formatted without a single word being changed.” He explained that it is common practice for official sources to reformat chat logs into new images for press releases. This reformatting can be done to protect privacy, improve readability, or address legal considerations, rather than providing the original screenshots directly.
Authenticity of the Messages
Addressing the doubts surrounding the messages, Attorney Bu Ji Seok chose his words carefully, saying, “It is difficult to say at this stage whether it is forensic data or not.” However, he emphasized that “it was reconstructed without a single word being changed, and nothing was altered to soften it.” He further added that the KakaoTalk messages exchanged with an ‘aunt’ were also reconstructed in the same unaltered manner.
Potential Legal Action and Original Data
Attorney Bu Ji Seok affirmed that “The original data clearly exists, and since legal action is being considered, disclosing it is a sensitive matter.” This statement suggests that the family possesses the original, unedited chat logs and is prepared to use them as potential evidence in future legal proceedings.
Content of the Released Messages
During a previous press conference, Kim Sae Ron’s family revealed KakaoTalk messages reportedly from 2016. At that time, the deceased was 17 years old (15 in international age). According to the family, these messages allegedly show Kim Soo Hyun requesting physical affection and expressing romantic feelings for Kim Sae Ron. The family contends that this contradicts Kim Soo Hyun’s prior denial of a romantic relationship with a minor, leading to increased suspicions of grooming.
