The legal battle surrounding the late Kim Sae Ron and actor Kim Soo Hyun has taken a new turn, with the family’s lawyer, Boo Ji Seok, reported for alleged illegal actions. This development adds complexity to an already high-profile controversy in South Korea’s entertainment industry.
The family of Kim Sae Ron, who passed away in February 2025, accused Kim Soo Hyun of dating her when she was a minor. Their legal representative, Boo Ji Seok, has been reported to South Korea’s Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission for alleged misconduct. A complainant, identified as Mr. A, filed a whistleblower complaint on April 29, 2025, claiming Boo Ji Seok went beyond providing legal advice and engaged in unethical or illegal acts.
Mr. A alleged that Boo Ji Seok spread unverified claims and used his position to present false information as fact. Specifically, the lawyer was accused of using provocative terms like “grooming sexual crime,” which reportedly damaged Kim Soo Hyun’s reputation. The complaint also suggested Boo Ji Seok may have been involved in distributing sensitive materials, potentially violating legal boundaries.
“As the legal representative of Kim Sae Ron’s family, Attorney Boo did more than provide legal advice. He actively disseminated the family’s claims and used his status as a lawyer to present false information as if it were verified fact. This abuse of legal authority warrants serious criticism.” — Mr. A, complainant
The accusations against Boo Ji Seok stem from a broader legal conflict. Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, previously filed a criminal complaint against Kim Sae Ron’s family, a YouTuber named Kim Se-ui from the channel Hoverlab, and an individual claiming to be Kim Sae Ron’s aunt. The charges involve alleged violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, related to the distribution of private images and videos.
Kim Sae Ron’s family has maintained that Kim Soo Hyun was in a relationship with the actress when she was underage. They released evidence, including KakaoTalk messages from 2016, when Kim Sae Ron was 15, and a handwritten letter from the actress claiming a five-to-six-year relationship. At a press conference on March 27, 2025, Boo Ji Seok presented these materials, stating:
“Kim Sae Ron was 17 at the time. In her letter, she wrote that they had dated for five to six years and described him as her first love.”
Kim Soo Hyun has consistently denied these allegations, admitting to a relationship with Kim Sae Ron only from 2019 to 2020, when she was an adult. During an emotional press conference on March 31, 2025, the actor said:
“I did not date her when she was a minor. Apart from the fact that we were both actors, we were just an ordinary couple like anyone else.”
He also addressed claims that his agency pressured Kim Sae Ron over a debt from her 2022 drunk-driving incident, releasing a voice recording suggesting the debt demands were procedural.
The controversy has had significant repercussions for Kim Soo Hyun. He has lost multiple brand endorsements, including with Prada and Dinto, and his upcoming Disney+ drama Knock-Off has been postponed. A public petition, dubbed “The Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act,” seeks to raise South Korea’s age of consent from 16 to 19 and has gained over 45,000 signatures.
Kim Sae Ron’s family has faced criticism for their actions, with netizens questioning why they allowed the alleged relationship when she was a minor. The family has expressed distress over the public exposure of Kim Sae Ron’s private life, stating they only shared evidence to counter false claims by YouTuber Lee Jin Ho, whom they’ve sued for defamation.
“The reason the family initially had no choice but to disclose the fact that Kim Soo Hyun had been in a relationship with the late Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor was to file a lawsuit against YouTuber Lee Jin Ho, who circulated false information, belittled, and mocked the late Kim Sae Ron, ultimately driving her to her death.” — Boo Ji Seok, attorney for Kim Sae Ron’s family
Public reactions on platforms like X reflect divided sentiments. Some users support Kim Soo Hyun, praising the action against Boo Ji Seok:
“KimSaeRon’s Family’s legal representative Attorney Boo Ji-seok has been reported to the National Human Rights Commission! deserved for spreading false claims against Soohyun!” — @kim_soowon16
Others question the family’s motives, with one user commenting:
“While the underlying situation is sad, I would love to understand the family’s motives. It is not as if they were unaware he was with her, they bear responsibility for the situation.”
The case has sparked broader discussions about the pressures on South Korean celebrities and the role of media in amplifying personal controversies. Kim Sae Ron, once a celebrated child actress known for films like A Brand New Life (2009) and The Man from Nowhere (2010), faced intense scrutiny after her 2022 drunk-driving conviction, which stalled her career. Her death at age 24 has prompted sympathy and renewed focus on mental health in the industry.
As of April 30, 2025, Boo Ji Seok is under investigation by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. The outcome could impact the ongoing legal battles between Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron’s family, who continue to seek accountability. Both sides have vowed to pursue their claims in court, with Kim Soo Hyun’s fans hiring a lawyer to combat online harassment.
