The Instagram Post That Sparked Controversy

On March 24, South Korean actress Kim Sae Ron shared a photo on her Instagram account that quickly became the center of attention. The photo, which was promptly deleted, showed her in what appeared to be an intimate moment with her former labelmate, actor Kim Soo Hyun. Despite its swift removal, the photo had already circulated widely on the internet, sparking numerous speculations.

One of the speculations suggested that Kim Sae Ron had intentionally leaked the photo in response to Kim Soo Hyun’s kiss scene in his new tvN K-Drama, ‘Queen of Tears’. This speculation, however, was quickly dismissed by Kim Soo Hyun’s management, GOLDMEDALIST.

GOLDMEDALIST’s Official Statement

In an official statement, GOLDMEDALIST denied all dating rumors between Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron. They clarified that the photo in question was taken in the past when both actors were under their management. They also stated that they were unaware of Kim Sae Ron’s intentions for uploading the photo.

GOLDMEDALIST further announced that they would be taking strong legal action against all damages to Kim Soo Hyun’s character and reputation, as well as for slander and the spread of malicious posts. They urged the public to refrain from spreading unfounded rumors or speculative articles.

The Backlash Against Kim Sae Ron

Despite the official statement from GOLDMEDALIST, Kim Sae Ron’s Instagram account has been flooded with hate comments from ‘Queen of Tears’ viewers. Many viewers believe that Kim Sae Ron is “sabotaging” the K-Drama and its male lead.

• “I LIVE to watch ‘Queen of Tears’ these days. It is my only form of stress relief from my studies. How dare you ruin it for me, though? Why couldn’t you wait until the show was over? You had to drop it in the middle of my absolute favorite show airing? Now I can’t get myself to focus anymore… You’re crazy.”
• “We don’t really care about who you date, but we don’t want you back in the entertainment industry. Based on all that you’ve done, we see very clearly what kind of a person you are.”
• “What is your problem… Like, seriously? Why go ruin the hard work of other people?”

…who believe Kim Sae Ron is “sabotaging” the K-Drama and the male lead.

The comments range from accusations of her ruining other people’s careers to criticisms of her actions. Some viewers expressed their disappointment, stating that they were unable to focus on the show due to the controversy. Others went as far as to say that they did not want her back in the entertainment industry.

The Success of ‘Queen of Tears’

Meanwhile, ‘Queen of Tears’, the K-Drama at the center of the controversy, has been enjoying record-breaking viewership. The series, which stars Kim Soo Hyun, premiered on tvN on March 9, 2024. It tells the story of a married couple facing a crisis in their third year of marriage.

Kim Soo Hyun, one of the highest-paid actors in the K-Drama business, plays the role of Baek Hyun Woo, a legal director born in a rural area. His performance in ‘Queen of Tears’ has further cemented his status as one of South Korea’s most popular celebrities.