Kim Sae Ron’s tragic passing continues to stir discussion as YouTuber Lee Jin Ho releases new recordings, shedding light on her struggles before her death in February 2025. The audio clips, shared on April 29, 2025, reveal personal conversations that have reignited public and legal scrutiny.
Recordings Reveal Emotional Struggles
On April 29, 2025, Lee Jin Ho, a former entertainment reporter turned YouTuber, uploaded a video on his channel, “Entertainment President Lee Jin Ho,” featuring audio recordings of the late actress Kim Sae Ron. The recordings included a phone call between Kim Sae Ron and an acquaintance, where she discussed her emotional distress.
In the audio, Kim Sae Ron spoke about her boyfriend showing her negative predictions from YouTube shamans.
My boyfriend suddenly showed me the fortunes that Shamans shared about me on YouTube and told me that I was bad, that I should be dead already, and that time had stopped. I’m a flower that had wilted and cannot bloom again because I’m a selfish and bad person.
Her voice, described as tearful, reflected deep despair. Lee Jin Ho claimed these recordings provided context for her mental state before her passing.
The YouTuber also shared details about Kim Sae Ron’s plans to open a cafe in Mapo, Seoul, with an acquaintance.
She had been preparing to open a cafe in Mapo with an old acquaintance since the end of last year. She met with people about her cafe opening just two days before she passed away. However, even this fell through because she failed to receive a follow-up investment. Her last remaining hope faded.
Lee Jin Ho noted that Kim Sae Ron had devoted herself to the entertainment industry as her family’s breadwinner but was left with little financial stability. The failure of the cafe project, according to him, was her final blow.
Controversy Surrounding the Recordings
The release of these recordings has sparked significant controversy. Lee Jin Ho has faced criticism for sharing private details about Kim Sae Ron’s life, especially after her passing. Some netizens question the authenticity of the audio, citing previous allegations of manipulation.
We need to remember that we are in the era of AI. We can’t really trust audio recordings anymore. Lee Jin Ho shouldn’t have just released an audio recording from Kim Sae Ron’s ‘friend.’ He needs to prove that this ‘friend’ is real first.
Chinese netizens, in particular, have analyzed past recordings by Lee Jin Ho, pointing out editing traces and suggesting fabrication. One user commented:
The audio of Kim Sae Ron released by Lee Jin Ho was edited later. I only analyzed the audio wavelength. I did not conduct any analysis on the authenticity of the content.
Additionally, a former agency staff member involved in earlier recordings claimed they did not consent to their release.
I never provided the transcript or gave consent to Lee Jin Ho for its release. He uploaded the video without my consent.
This has raised legal concerns, as South Korea’s Protection of Communications Secrets Act could deem such actions illegal if consent was not obtained.
Kim Sae Ron’s Tragic Life and Career
Kim Sae Ron, who passed away at 25 in February 2025, was a celebrated child actress known for her roles in films like The Man from Nowhere and A Brand New Life. She began acting at a young age, becoming a household name in South Korea. However, her career faced challenges, including a DUI incident in 2022, which Lee Jin Ho linked to emotional distress from a breakup with a singer ex-boyfriend.
Lee Jin Ho has also made claims about Kim Sae Ron’s personal life, including an alleged secret marriage to a Korean-American boyfriend in New York and an abortion. These claims, based on other recordings, have been disputed by her family.
Around 1 AM on May 27, 2019, Kim Sae Ron was spending time with a female friend, not a man. Relevant records remain on the mobile phone Kim Sae Ron used before her passing.
Her family has refuted several of Lee Jin Ho’s allegations, including claims about her relationship with actor Kim Soo Hyun. They assert that Kim Sae Ron was not romantically involved with Kim Soo Hyun during the periods Lee Jin Ho suggested, citing evidence like phone records and app data.
Legal Actions and Public Backlash
Kim Sae Ron’s family has taken legal action against Lee Jin Ho for defamation and spreading false information. In March 2025, her father expressed his anguish:
Do we have to explain every day that this is fake news? Even if my wife and I can endure it, what about Sae Ron’s younger siblings? How do I protect my remaining daughters? I want Lee Jin Ho to face legal consequences. Not just him, but also those who create and spread such malicious content.
In April 2025, a court ordered Lee Jin Ho to suspend broadcasts about Kim Sae Ron for three months, citing the need to protect the dignity of the deceased and her family. Despite this, Lee Jin Ho continued to release content, including the April 29 video, prompting further criticism.
Public reactions are mixed. Some netizens sympathize with Kim Sae Ron, believing she was surrounded by harmful influences:
If the phone conversation recording is the truth, I feel more bad for Kim Sae Ron. She grew up in such a bad environment since she was young. The more this continues, the more I think the parents should’ve been there for her.
Others question Lee Jin Ho’s motives, with some accusing him of defending Kim Soo Hyun amid allegations of a past relationship with Kim Sae Ron. A secret recording by Kim Sae Ron’s friend revealed Lee Jin Ho and forensic expert Lee Yo Min attempting to sway them in favor of Kim Soo Hyun.
Ongoing Debate and Cafe Plans
The cafe Kim Sae Ron planned to open was meant to mark a new chapter in her life. Lee Jin Ho claimed she was actively preparing for it until days before her death. A friend of Kim Sae Ron confirmed she was working at a cafe to support herself, countering Lee Jin Ho’s earlier doubts about her claims.
The failure to secure funding for the cafe, as per Lee Jin Ho, was a significant setback. This detail has resonated with fans, who mourn the loss of her final dream.
She truly lived a lonely life. The cafe’s opening, her last hope, even fell through. It was an extremely unfortunate tragedy.
As of April 30, 2025, Lee Jin Ho continues to face legal challenges, with Kim Sae Ron’s family and supporters pushing for accountability. The controversy surrounding the recordings remains unresolved, with ongoing debates about their authenticity and ethical implications.
