A storm is brewing around South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun after shocking claims surfaced today, March 27, 2025. The family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron dropped a bombshell at a press conference in Seocho-gu, Seoul, releasing what they say are private text messages between Soo-hyun and Sae-ron from June 2016—when she was just 15 and he was 28. The revelations have sparked outrage, with fans and the public reeling from the news.
Leaked Texts from 2016 Spark Outrage
The messages, shared by Sae-ron’s legal team, paint a troubling picture. In chats dated June 24 to 26, 2016, Soo-hyun allegedly wrote things like, “I miss you,” “I want to kiss you,” and “When can I fall asleep with you in my arms?” Sae-ron’s replies show a mix of affection and hesitation, with her saying, “I’ll do it when I want to. No promises,” after Soo-hyun asked if he’d have to wait a year—or maybe six months—for physical closeness. Her family says this proves the two were romantically involved when she was a minor, contradicting Soo-hyun’s side of the story.
Agency's Response Under Pressure
Soo-hyun’s agency, Goldmedalist, has been fighting these claims for weeks. Back on March 14, they admitted the pair dated but insisted it started in 2019, after Sae-ron turned 19, and ended in 2020. They called the earlier accusations “baseless” and pointed to photos from 2019–2020 to back their timeline. But today’s press conference threw a wrench in that defense, with Sae-ron’s family and their lawyer, Bu Ji-seok, demanding Soo-hyun admit the truth and apologize. “If this wasn’t romantic, what was it?” Bu asked, challenging Soo-hyun directly.
A Tragedy Shadows the Allegations
The timing’s brutal. Sae-ron took her own life on February 16, 2025—Soo-hyun’s birthday—leaving behind a tangle of grief and questions. Her family blames him, saying their six-year relationship, starting when she was 15, crushed her spirit. They’ve pointed to a $483,000 debt dispute with Goldmedalist as a breaking point, though the agency says they wrote it off in 2023 after helping her post-DUI in 2022.
Adding fuel to the fire, a voice recording from Sae-ron’s friend surfaced today, claiming Soo-hyun cheated on her multiple times and promised marriage to keep her hooked.
Public Backlash and Brand Fallout
People are livid. On X, fans are calling him everything from “monster” to “groomer,” with posts screaming for him to retire or face jail. “Texting a 15-year-old at 28? Solid evidence from her parents—lock him up!” one wrote.
Others cling to doubt, saying the texts could be fake or misinterpreted, but the tide’s turning fast. Brands like Prada and Dinto have already ditched him, and his upcoming Disney+ drama Knock-Off hangs in limbo.
Legal and Career Implications
Legally, it’s murky. South Korea’s laws on minors tightened in 2020, but back in 2016, the age cutoff for statutory rape was 13, not 16. Still, the moral outrage is deafening, and Soo-hyun’s golden-boy image—built on hits like Queen of Tears—is cracking.
His agency’s gone quiet since this morning’s bombshell, leaving fans and foes alike waiting for his next move. For now, the actor’s career—and maybe more—teeters on the edge as this heartbreaking saga unfolds.