Weekly Korean Entertainment Roundup: Kim Soo Hyun Investigates Kim Sae Ron’s Fake Aunt, BTS Jin Reveals Second Solo Album Echo and Tour Plans, Taemin and No:ze Dating Rumors Addressed by Agency, NewJeans’ 2nd Court Appeal Against Independent Activity Ban, and More
Kim Soo Hyun, Jin: (Image: Courtesy of tvN, BTS Twitter)
Kim Soo Hyun Investigates Kim Sae Ron’s Aunt Claims, BTS Jin Reveals Second Solo Album Echo and Tour Plans, Taemin and No:ze Dating Rumors Addressed by Agency, NewJeans Files Second Appeal Against Court’s Independent Activity Ban, Kim Soo Hyun’s Team Clarifies Court Fee Payment Issue
South Korea’s entertainment scene is buzzing with major developments this week, from legal disputes to exciting music announcements. Kim Soo Hyun tackles controversies involving the late Kim Sae Ron, BTS’ Jin reveals his second solo album, SHINee’s Taemin faces dating rumors with dancer No:ze, NewJeans fights a court ban, and more. Here’s a detailed look at the week’s biggest stories, crafted to keep you informed with a warm, clear perspective.
Kim Soo Hyun’s Legal Struggles Intensify
Kim Soo Hyun, known for dramas like Queen of Tears, is navigating a complex legal battle tied to his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron, who passed away in early 2025. The controversy began in March 2025 when Kim Sae Ron’s family and the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute (also known as HoverLab) alleged that Kim Soo Hyun dated her when she was a minor. They claimed a relationship spanned from 2015 to 2021, supported by photos, a 2018 love letter allegedly written by Kim Soo Hyun during his military service, and edited KakaoTalk messages.
At a March 31, 2025, press conference, Kim Soo Hyun denied these claims, stating:
Hello, this is Kim Soo Hyun. First, I apologize. It seems that so many people are suffering because of me, and it breaks my heart that the deceased cannot rest in peace. I consider myself a coward.
He clarified that their relationship lasted about a year, starting in 2019 after Kim Sae Ron was of legal age, and ended in 2020. His agency, Gold Medalist, backed this, stating forensic analysis proved the KakaoTalk messages were not from him and that photos had altered timestamps. They filed a 12 billion KRW (approximately $8.76 million) defamation lawsuit against Kim Sae Ron’s family, an unidentified woman claiming to be her “aunt,” and Garosero Research Institute.
This week, focus shifted to the mysterious “fake aunt.” Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team from LKB & Partners revealed they couldn’t verify her identity, as she’s not a biological relative but someone described as “closer than a real aunt” to Kim Sae Ron. On April 19, 2025, the attorney stated:
The fake aunt will eventually be identified.
Police are now tracing call records to track her, and she faces criminal charges for leaking a private photo of Kim Soo Hyun, which Gold Medalist called a violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. The photo, shared during a Garosero Research Institute livestream, allegedly showed Kim Soo Hyun in a compromising state, causing him “sexual embarrassment.”
Rumors also surfaced that Kim Soo Hyun missed a 38 million KRW (about $26,790) court fee payment for the lawsuit. On April 17, 2025, LKB & Partners clarified:
All necessary fees have been fully paid.
The delay was due to a procedural issue with the defendant’s address, not payment failure. However, public backlash persists. Netizens on X expressed mixed sentiments, with some criticizing Kim Soo Hyun’s handling of the situation, while fans launched a global petition on April 15, 2025, to protect him from “online public trials.” They stated:
We express grave concern over the reality where unverified rumors are causing terminated ad deals, privacy violations, malicious comments, and social sanctions.
The controversy has also impacted Kim Soo Hyun’s career, with calls for his removal from MBC’s Good Day and scrutiny over his Baeksang Arts Award nomination. His agency vowed to pursue international legal action against cyberbullies spreading false claims.
BTS Jin Announces Second Solo Album Echo and Tour
BTS’ Jin brought joy to fans with the announcement of his second solo album, Echo, set for release on May 16, 2025, at 1 PM KST. Following his debut solo album Happy six months ago, Jin shared the news via BIGHIT MUSIC on April 18, 2025. The album’s first trailer, featuring alpacas and gaming themes, has fans buzzing about its creative direction.
Jin also unveiled his first solo fan-concert tour, RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR, kicking off in Korea at Goyang Auxiliary Stadium on June 28-29, 2025. The tour will visit:
Chiba, Japan: July 5-6
Osaka, Japan: July 12-13
Anaheim, USA: August 2-3
Dallas, USA: August 9-10
Tampa, USA: August 16-17
Newark, USA: August 23-24
London, UK: September 6-7
Amsterdam, Netherlands: September 13-14
Fans on X shared their excitement, with one posting:
Jin’s solo tour is going to be epic! Echo sounds so fresh already! #BTSJin
This marks a significant step for Jin post-military service, building on his growing solo career. His recent performance with Chris Martin at Coldplay’s Seoul concert on April 2025 further boosted anticipation.
Taemin and No:ze Dating Rumors Clarified
SHINee’s Taemin and dancer No:ze found themselves at the center of dating rumors after photos surfaced online showing a man resembling Taemin giving a woman believed to be No:ze a back hug. The images, taken in a casual setting, gained traction because the man’s outfit matched one Taemin wore in a December 2023 post by SHINee’s Key. No:ze’s attendance at Taemin’s December 2023 concert added fuel to the speculation.
On April 2025, Taemin’s agency, Big Planet Made, responded:
The two are just close acquaintances. We request fans to avoid spreading unfounded rumors.
Fans on X had mixed reactions, with some supporting Taemin’s privacy:
Let Taemin live his life, they’re just friends! #SHINee
Others speculated about the photos’ authenticity, but Big Planet Made’s statement has largely quelled the rumors. Taemin continues to focus on his music, with recent performances showcasing his dynamic stage presence.
NewJeans Files Second Appeal Against Court Ban
NewJeans, the chart-topping K-Pop group, faced a setback when the Seoul Central District Court upheld its ban on their independent activities under the name NJZ. On April 2025, the group filed a second appeal, continuing their legal battle with ADOR and HYBE. The dispute stems from a 2024 court ruling prohibiting NewJeans from operating independently, citing contract violations.
Min Hee Jin, former ADOR CEO, spoke out, saying:
HYBE fails to refute our claims.
The case has drawn significant attention, with fans rallying behind NewJeans. One X post read:
NewJeans deserves freedom to create! #SupportNewJeans
The group’s members—Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—remain active, but the ongoing legal fight raises questions about their future projects. The K-Pop industry watches closely, as the outcome could impact artist contracts across the board.
Malaysia’s First Female K-Pop Idol: Lingling’s Historic Debut
Malaysia is marking a proud moment as Alicia Wong Lingling, known as Lingling, prepares to debut as the country’s first female K-Pop idol under Leanbranding. The 19-year-old from Klang, Selangor, shone on Mnet’s I-LAND 2: N/a in 2024, earning second place in preliminary voting with her singing, dancing, and fluency in Chinese, Malay, English, and Korean. Her debut with Leanbranding’s new girl group is set for late May 2025, a milestone for Malaysian representation in K-Pop.
Fans on X expressed their joy, with one posting:
She’s gonna be first female kpop idol from Malaysia❤️ for first kpop idol it’s isaac from skye✨(former name is in2it)
Another clarified:
First Malaysian Kpop idol = Isaac She’s the first female Malaysian Kpop idol. Congrats Lingling 👏🏼👏🏼
Lingling, a former YG Entertainment trainee, opened her personal Instagram on April 18, 2025, signaling her rising stardom. Her multilingual skills and charm have earned hashtags like #PolyglotGenius, reflecting her ability to connect with global fans. Malaysia’s K-Pop scene, previously led by Isaac Voo of IN2IT (debuted 2017), now sees Lingling paving the way for women, joining Southeast Asian stars like BLACKPINK’s Lisa (Thailand) and NewJeans’ Hanni (Vietnam).
ASTRO Tribute: Cha Eun Woo, Stray Kids’ Bang Chan, and others released Memory of the Moon on April 2025, honoring ASTRO’s Moonbin on his second death anniversary. The track moved fans, with one X post stating: This tribute to Moonbin is so beautiful. #MemoryOfTheMoon
BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Lisa Shine: Jennie announced a collaboration with HARIBO for Ruby Hearts gummy candy, while Lisa’s Coachella 2025 performance, including Moonlit Floor, sparked buzz about her rumored boyfriend Frédéric Arnault.
The week’s events highlight the dynamic nature of Korean entertainment, blending triumphs with challenges. Kim Soo Hyun’s legal efforts, Jin’s musical comeback, Taemin’s clarified rumors, and NewJeans’ fight for independence keep fans engaged, while Lingling’s debut marks a new chapter for K-Pop’s global reach. Stay tuned for more updates as these stories unfold.
