Facing serious public allegations, actor Kim Soo Hyun‘s legal team has taken a definitive step to counter claims that he had a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor. In a recent statement, they presented personal diary entries from the actor’s military service, which they say prove he was in a committed relationship with another woman at the time.
Military Diaries Revealed as Key Evidence
On September 30, 2025, Kim Soo Hyun’s lawyer, Ko Sang-rok, publicly disclosed details from personal diaries the actor kept during his mandatory military service from October 2017 to July 2019. The diaries, which began in early 2018, evolved into letters addressed to a girlfriend he was in a relationship with from 2016 until the spring of 2019.
According to the lawyer, Kim Soo Hyun wrote approximately 150 of these diary-like letters throughout his service. Instead of mailing them, he would carry the collected writings with him during military leave to share directly with his lover. Ko Sang-rok stated the content shows a “continuous and serious relationship,” distinct from any communications with Kim Sae Ron.
Content of the Personal Writings
The released excerpts from the diaries portray a man deeply devoted to his partner. In one entry from April 6, 2018, Kim Soo Hyun wrote, “I thought you, who still pays attention to and makes an effort for my clumsy words and actions, are so lovable.” He continued, “I really want to write your name, but I can’t because I’m such an attention seeker. I really want to write your name. I’m saying I love you.”
Another entry from August 3, 2018, reads, “I think I’m treating her better than I did before enlisting. I’m not using my energy on anything else — I’m focused only on her, thinking of her, wanting her, waiting for her. I keep missing her and wanting to see her.”
In a July 2018 letter, he envisioned their future, writing, “I am certain I will travel with her around this time next year. We’ll do new things, things we’ve never done before. I’ll do everything with her.”
Addressing the Allegations Directly
The evidence was released to counter specific claims made by the family of the late Kim Sae Ron, who passed away in February 2025. Her family had alleged that Kim Soo Hyun dated Kim Sae-ron from the end of 2015—when she was in middle school—until July 2021. They presented a letter they said was from Kim Soo Hyun in June 2018, addressed to Kim Sae-ron.
Kim Soo Hyun’s lawyer emphasized a “clear difference in tone” between the intimate diary entries for his girlfriend and the single letter sent to Kim Sae-ron. “These writings are filled with sincerity — sharing everyday moments with his lover, expressing deep affection, and envisioning the future they would build together after his discharge,” Ko stated. “In contrast, during the same period, there was only one letter sent to the late Kim Sae-ron. It was also confirmed that on the very day he sent that letter, the actor wrote a separate diary entry expressing how much he missed his actual lover.”
Kim Soo Hyun has admitted to a romantic relationship with Kim Sae-ron, but maintains it lasted for only one year, between 2019 and 2020, when she was an adult. His legal team asserts that all photos and materials presented by Kim Sae-ron’s family as proof of a longer relationship are from 2019 or later.
Public and Legal Backlash
This controversy first erupted when a YouTube channel alleged that Kim Soo Hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron since her underage years. Kim Soo Hyun previously addressed these allegations in an emotional press conference in April 2025, where he tearfully denied the claims, stating, “I did not date her when she was a minor” and “I can’t admit to something I didn’t do.”
The scandal has had significant professional consequences for the actor, leading to ended partnerships with brands like Prada and Dinto, and the pausing of a Disney+ production. In response, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has filed criminal complaints against the YouTube channel for defamation and is pursuing a civil lawsuit seeking 12 billion won (approximately $8.1 million) in damages. They have also submitted an audio recording presented by the late actress’s family to the National Forensic Service, alleging it was manipulated using AI.
Online, the release of the diary evidence has sparked mixed reactions. Some netizens have questioned the strategy, with comments suggesting the revelation implies he was two-timing, asking, “So was he two-timing then? Is he foolish? Doesn’t he know this damages his image even more by making this public?”
Also Read: 10 Best K-Dramas and Movies of Kim Soo Hyun: Must-Watch Performances
Credits: Daum, allkpop
