Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron's controversy timeline
South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun and late actress Kim Sae-ron have been caught in a swirling controversy since last week, and fans remain eager to piece together the full story.
The shocking allegation against Soo-hyun, claiming he dated Sae-ron when she was still a minor, has rocked the K-entertainment world. The controversy emerged just weeks after Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
However, Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, has consistently denied the allegations through official statements.
Here's a timeline of the events surrounding the Soo-hyun-Sae-ron issue:
HoverLab Expose
On March 10, the YouTube channel HoverLab Inc., also known as Garosero Research Institute, reported that Kim Sae-ron's aunt alleged the actress had a six-year relationship with Kim Soo-hyun, which began when she was just 15 years old. Accusations were also made against Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, alleging financial misconduct and mishandling of Sae-ron's DUI case.
Netizens' Reactions
Netizens continue to express varied opinions about the controversy. However, many pointed out the coincidence that Kim Sae-ron passed away on Kim Soo-hyun's birthday, February 16.
Gold Medalist's First Statement
Kim Soo-hyun's agency dismissed the allegations and said that the claims made by the YouTube channel Hoverlab are "completely false." The agency also threatened a possible legal action.
Additional Evidence
Garoseo Research Institute revealed old photos, including intimate selfies, text messages, and handwritten letters between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron.
One of the texts revealed that the actress allegedly received a repayment notice amounting to 686 million KRW (Php 27,124,440). According to Dispatch, Sae-ron reportedly pleaded with Soo-hyun to "save" her and "give her some time," but the actor allegedly did not respond.
Seo Ye-ji
It's Okay Not To Be Okay actress Seo Ye-ji's name was brought into the controversy between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron as online rumors surfaced about her alleged relationship with Soo-hyun.
"To my beloved yeye (Seo Ye-ji's official fan club), As a human being, I can't help but feel overwhelmed, overburdened, tired, sad, and suffocated. I tried to suppress and suppress it all. But before I knew it, I was typing a reply to the comments and then quickly deleting them. Just please stop. I swear I have no personal relations whatsoever with that person or his older brother. I don't know why I have to explain any of this," she said.
Brand Endorsement Challenges
According to Sportkeeda, Kim Soo-hyun's ongoing 18+ brand deals have faced conflicts, leading some companies to suspend his activities or remove the content he was featured in. K2, Shabu All Day, and Homeplus reportedly eventually deleted his appearances from their official homepage and brand SNS.
Gold Medalist's Second Statement
On March 13, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, released a brief statement that they will "release a full length statement based on factual evidence next week."
Gold Medalist's Official Statement
Although Gold Medalist initially announced that they would release a full statement on the issue next week, they instead issued an official statement on Friday, March 14. The agency claimed that while it is true that Soo-hyun and Sae-ron were in a relationship in the past, it did not take place during her minor years. They also refuted claims that Soo-hyun's agency pressured Sae-ron to repay 700 million won (around $481,300) and provided images as proof.
Prada
On March 14, Italian luxury brand Prada officially ended its ambassador partnership with Kim Soo-hyun, severing ties with the actor. The luxury brand decided to cancel the collaboration due to the ongoing controversy surrounding Soo-hyun.
Kim Soo-hyun's Private Photo
On March 16, Garosero Research Institute released a private photo of Kim Soo-hyun without pants while allegedly washing dishes inside Kim Sae-ron's apartment.
Good Day Production's Statement
On March 17, MBC's variety program Good Day decided to edit out Kim Soo-hyun's footage from the show due to the ongoing controversy surrounding him.
