South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun is at the center of a new controversy as a report claims he dated an idol-turned-actress from 2017 to 2019, challenging allegations of a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron during that period. This development has reignited discussions about the actor’s personal life, with conflicting narratives and industry insider claims adding complexity to the story.
A recent report by Money Today on April 25, 2025, stated that Kim Soo Hyun was in a relationship with an unnamed idol-turned-actress, referred to as “A,” from late 2016 to spring 2019. This timeline overlaps with his mandatory military service from 2017 to 2019. The report argues that this relationship contradicts claims made by Kim Sae Ron’s side, who alleged she dated Kim Soo Hyun from 2015 to 2021, including when she was a minor.
The two stars reportedly grew close while signed to the same agency, KEYEAST, where Kim Soo Hyun was managed from 2010 to 2019. Their relationship was described as an “open secret” in the entertainment industry. An insider quoted by Money Today said:
It’s well-known that Kim Soo Hyun and A dated between 2017-2019. Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron then dated between 2019-2020.
The report further claimed that Kim Sae Ron was involved with other partners in 2016, 2018, and 2021, including singer WOODZ in 2021, making a six-year relationship with Kim Soo Hyun unlikely. It also questioned the evidence provided by Kim Sae Ron’s family and the YouTube channel HOVERLAB, alleging that photos supposedly from 2016 were taken after 2019 and that an unidentified man in other images was not Kim Soo Hyun.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy stems from allegations made after Kim Sae Ron’s death by suicide on February 16, 2025, which coincided with Kim Soo Hyun’s birthday. Kim Sae Ron’s family and HOVERLAB claimed she dated Kim Soo Hyun starting in 2015, when she was 15 and he was 27, raising accusations of an underage relationship. They presented KakaoTalk messages and photos as evidence.
Kim Soo Hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist, initially denied these claims, later admitting to a relationship with Kim Sae Ron from summer 2019 to fall 2020, when she was an adult. At a press conference on March 31, 2025, a tearful Kim Soo Hyun firmly denied dating her as a minor, stating:
I never dated her when she was a minor. Except for the fact that both of us were actors, our relationship was just like that of any other ordinary couple.
The actor also addressed a 2024 Instagram post by Kim Sae Ron, which showed them together and was quickly deleted, explaining he denied the relationship at the time to protect his drama Queen of Tears.
Industry Reactions and Evidence Disputes
Money Today’s report has stirred mixed reactions. Some industry insiders support the claim that Kim Soo Hyun’s relationship with “A” was widely known, suggesting he could not have dated Kim Sae Ron simultaneously. However, Korean netizens remain skeptical, with some arguing the report implies Kim Soo Hyun may have been unfaithful. Posts on X reflect this sentiment:
K-netizens unconvinced by the latest claims about #KimSooHyun’s past relationships, ‘only proof that he was two-timing’
Gold Medalist has challenged the evidence from Kim Sae Ron’s side, providing metadata showing photos were taken in 2019 or 2020, not 2016. They also clarified that letters Kim Soo Hyun wrote to Kim Sae Ron during his military service were sent to multiple close acquaintances, not as romantic gestures.
Impact on Kim Soo Hyun’s Career
The ongoing scandal has significantly affected Kim Soo Hyun’s professional life. Major brands, including Prada and Dinto, ended their partnerships with him in March 2025. Disney+ reportedly paused his upcoming drama Knock-Off, and a variety show episode featuring him was postponed. His Instagram following dropped from over 21 million to 20.7 million amid public backlash.
Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team has filed a civil lawsuit seeking 12 billion won (approximately $8.1 million) in damages against Kim Sae Ron’s family and HOVERLAB for defamation. They also filed criminal complaints, citing privacy violations and false allegations.
Kim Sae Ron’s Struggles and Public Sympathy
Kim Sae Ron, once a promising child actress known for films like The Man from Nowhere (2010), faced career setbacks after a 2022 DUI incident. She joined Gold Medalist in 2020 but left in 2022 following the scandal, which led to debts of around 700 million won (approximately $483,000). Gold Medalist claimed they covered these costs without expecting repayment, a claim disputed by Kim Sae Ron’s family, who alleged the agency pressured her for the money.
Her death prompted widespread sympathy in South Korea, reigniting discussions about the intense scrutiny faced by celebrities. Some netizens criticized Kim Soo Hyun for not attending her funeral, while others defended his privacy.
Past Dating Rumors
Kim Soo Hyun has faced dating rumors before, notably with former Wonder Girls member Sohee in 2015 and 2017. These were never confirmed, and the Money Today report does not specify if “A” is Sohee or another idol-turned-actress. Speculation about “A”’s identity persists, with some reports suggesting she was part of a second-generation K-pop group with a four-syllable Korean name.
More Related News:
Kim Soo-hyun Faces Backlash Over Alleged Relationship Timeline with Late Actress Kim Sae-ron
As of April 26, 2025, Kim Soo Hyun has not publicly commented on the Money Today report. His agency continues to maintain that he dated Kim Sae Ron only as an adult and is refraining from naming “A” to protect her privacy. The controversy remains unresolved, with Kim Sae Ron’s family planning a press conference to present further evidence, though no updates have been reported since March 27, 2025.
The public remains divided, with some supporting Kim Soo Hyun’s denials and others questioning his actions based on Kim Sae Ron’s family’s claims. The case highlights the challenges of navigating personal relationships under intense public scrutiny in South Korea’s entertainment industry.
Source: Money Today and theqoo
