The family of the late Kim Sae Ron has expressed their disappointment with Kim Soo Hyun’s agency’s response to claims of a past relationship and has decided to conduct digital forensics on photos taken with the actor. This development comes after allegations surfaced regarding a relationship between the two, including claims that it began when Kim Sae Ron was a minor.1
Family’s Decision and Disappointment
On March 18, a representative from Kim Sae Ron’s family informed Hankyung.com about their decision to pursue digital forensics on photographs. The family believes these photos will substantiate their claim that Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun were in a relationship during her minor years. Their decision reflects their dissatisfaction with the statements released by Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist.
Further Claims and Revelations
Adding to the controversy, the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute (HoverLab) announced plans to release a video later today purportedly showing Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron during their time as a couple.
Kwon Young Chan, head of the Korea Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association, made a statement suggesting Kim Sae Ron’s consideration for Kim Soo Hyun even in sensitive matters. He stated,
Kim Sae Ron tried to protect Kim Soo Hyun until the very end. She even worried about whether to conduct forensics, asking, ‘What should I do if something like this happens later?’
The family also alleged that Kim Soo Hyun suggested switching their communication platform from KakaoTalk to Telegram.2
Furthermore, the family criticized Gold Medalist’s handling of a funeral wreath sent to Kim Sae Ron’s memorial. They stated,
The agency claimed that Kim Soo Hyun sent the wreath, but it was actually a staff member who attended. Given that they were in a long-term relationship, Kim Soo Hyun should have come himself.
Background of the Allegations
The controversy ignited on March 10 when Garosero Research Institute shared a phone call with Kim Sae Ron’s family, alleging that Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were in a six-year relationship starting in 2015, when she was 15 years old. The channel also released what they claimed were photos and text messages exchanged between the two actors.
Agency’s Denial and Conflicting Timelines
In response to these allegations, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, issued a denial.3 They stated,
It is not true that Kim Soo Hyun was in a relationship with Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor. They only dated from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after she became an adult.
This statement presents a timeline that directly contradicts the claims made by Kim Sae Ron’s family and Garosero Research Institute.
Dispute Over Debt Repayment Notices
The conflict between the two parties has also extended to financial matters.4Kim Sae Ron’s family claimed that Kim Soo Hyun had sent two notices demanding debt repayment, characterizing these as “essentially a threat.”
However, Gold Medalist offered a different perspective on these notices. They clarified,
Kim Soo Hyun never filed a claim for damages against Kim Sae Ron. The second notice was simply a legal procedure to provide guidance on repayment terms and schedule.
This explanation suggests that the notices were part of a formal process rather than an aggressive demand.
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