On March 31, 2025, South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun stepped into the spotlight for the first time since a major controversy involving his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron. He held a press conference in Seoul to address the swirling rumors and allegations. What started as a chance to clear the air turned into a firestorm when photos of him clenching his fists as he left the event hit social media. Fans and critics alike couldn’t stop talking about it, splitting opinions right down the middle.
Here’s the scoop: Kim Soo Hyun broke down in tears during the press conference, which was meant to be a no-questions-asked affair. His agency, Gold Medalist, had set the rule that he’d only read a prepared statement alongside his lawyer, Kim Jong Bok. But one fearless reporter broke the silence, asking about Kim Sae Ron directly. That moment sent the actor storming out, emotions raw—and that’s when the cameras caught his fists balled up tight.
The images spread like wildfire on TikTok, posted by users who seemed to back the actor. Supporters saw his clenched fists as a sign of deep pain and frustration over the ordeal. Critics? They weren’t buying it, calling it a staged act to dodge accountability. This single gesture turned into a lightning rod for how people feel about the whole messy saga.
Talk about a moment that grabbed everyone’s attention! Kim Soo Hyun, a household name thanks to hits like Queen of Tears, walked into that press conference looking tense. He wore a black suit, bowed to the crowd, and laid out his side of the story. He admitted to dating Kim Sae Ron for about a year, five years ago—way before his latest drama aired. He flat-out denied claims that their relationship started when she was a minor, calling out her family’s evidence, like old KakaoTalk messages, as fake. Through sobs, he said he’s being forced to own up to things he didn’t do. Heavy stuff, right?
Then came the twist. That reporter’s question about Kim Sae Ron hit a nerve. Kim Soo Hyun didn’t answer—he just left, tears streaming, fists clenched. Those photos didn’t just capture a moment; they lit a match under an already heated debate.
What Happened at the Press Conference?
The press conference was held at the Stanford Hotel in Seoul at 4:30 PM KST on March 31, 2025. Kim Soo Hyun and his legal team had one goal: address the allegations head-on. He started with an apology, saying it hurt him that so many people were suffering because of him, including the late Kim Sae Ron, who he felt couldn’t rest in peace.
He got personal, admitting he’s always chosen “star Kim Soo Hyun” over “human Kim Soo Hyun” when faced with tough calls. He said he’d make the same choices again, even knowing the backlash, because it’s the responsibility he signed up for as a celebrity. But he stood firm—no underage relationship with Kim Sae Ron, no pushing her into debt or despair. He claimed her family’s KakaoTalk chats from 2016 and 2018 were doctored, backed by a scientific analysis he’d commissioned.
The emotional peak? When he broke down, saying he couldn’t lie just to make things easier. That’s when the reporter jumped in, breaking the no-questions rule. Kim Soo Hyun didn’t stick around—out he went, fists tight, leaving everyone buzzing.
Why the Clenched Fists Blew Up Online
Those photos of Kim Soo Hyun clenching his fists landed on TikTok fast, thanks to accounts like kdramafave_editz. Supporters flooded the comments with love.
“His hands really broke my heart. He is so angry 😭😭 I can’t stop crying. Papi you’ve been through a lot, we are so proud of you.”
“We are always here supporting you and waiting for your massive comeback 🫶😭 Stay strong and please stay healthy 😘.”
They saw it as proof of how much he’s hurting, a raw reaction to a tough situation. But not everyone was on board. Critics tore into him, calling the whole thing a performance.
“Fake tears and clenched fists? He’s just playing the victim again. Where was this emotion for Kim Sae Ron?”
“He couldn’t even face the question. Crocodile tears and a dramatic exit—classic actor move.”
The divide was stark. Some saw a man pushed to the brink; others saw a guy dodging the real issue. Posts on X echoed the split, with some calling his tears “Oscar-worthy” and others slamming him for not addressing the grooming allegations or debt claims tied to Kim Sae Ron.
The Bigger Picture: What’s This All About?
This drama kicked off weeks earlier when Kim Sae Ron’s family held their own press conference on March 27, 2025. Their lawyer, Bu Ji Seok, dropped bombshells—KakaoTalk messages from 2016 showing Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron chatting when she was 16 and he was in his late 20s. They also shared a letter she wrote, calling him her “first and last love” and begging to stay friends after a 5-6 year relationship. Her family claimed he’d lied about never dating her, even after evidence surfaced.
Kim Soo Hyun’s camp fired back. His agency denied the underage dating claims, saying their romance started in 2019, when she was an adult. After the press conference, his lawyer announced a 12 billion KRW (about $8.16 million USD) defamation lawsuit against Kim Sae Ron’s family, an alleged aunt, and YouTube channel HoverLab, which had been fueling the fire with more leaks.
The clenched fists? They’ve become a symbol of this whole mess—support versus skepticism, pain versus performance. Netizens keep digging, with some pointing to 2018 ski trip photos from Garo Sero Research Institute as more proof he’s not telling the full story.
Where Things Stand Now
The fallout’s still fresh as of April 1, 2025. Kim Soo Hyun’s career’s taken a hit—brands have dropped him, and fans are split. His legal team’s pushing the lawsuit, while critics online keep the pressure on, calling out his “scripted” tears and refusal to take questions. Supporters, meanwhile, rally with messages of hope, some even sending a truck with digital screens to the press conference site, flashing encouragement in Korean and English.
Love him or hate him, those clenched fists have everyone talking. They’re a snapshot of a star at a crossroads, facing a public that’s as divided as ever.
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