South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has tearfully denied dating late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor after allegations made by her family.
In February, Kim Sae-ron, one of the country’s most promising young stars, died by suicide at her home in Seoul at the age of 24.
After her death, in a scandal that has shocked South Korea, her family claimed that Kim Soo-hyun dated her when she was 15 and underage.
They also alleged that Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, co-founded by his relative, GoldMedalist, pressured her into repaying a debt.
At a surprise press conference in Seoul yesterday, Kim Soo-hyun refuted both claims.
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‘I can’t admit to something I didn’t do,’ the 37-year-old actor said, according to the BBC.
Kim Soo-hyun denied dating Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, but said they were in a relationship when she was an adult.
He said: ‘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.’
Kim Soo-hyun explained he previously denied they were in a relationship to protect their acting careers.
In the South Korean entertainment industry, it is scandalous for a celebrity to admit to having a romantic partner.
The actor said: ‘I had so much to protect as its lead actor. What would have happened if I had admitted to a year-long relationship? What would happen to the actors, the staff who were working overnight and the production team who had everything staked on that project?
‘The more I thought of it, the more I thought that shouldn’t be what I do.’
Kim Soo-hyun also denied allegations Kim Sae-ron ‘made the tragic choice because of me or my agency pressurising her over a debt.’
In 2022, Kim Sae-ron took a hiatus from acting after being charged with drunk driving. She was fined 20 million won, which is around £11,000.
Her family claim that GoldMedalist paid the fine and later pursued legal action for repayment.
Kim Sae-ron’s career began when she was nine, and her early work included A Brand New Life.
She went on to appear action film The Man from Nowhere, which was the highest-grossing film in South Korea in 2010, and the 2012 thriller The Neighbour.
Kim Sae-ron’s first adult role was 2016 TV drama series Secret Healer before starring in Netflix’s Korean thriller Bloodhounds, which was released in 2023. The series was in the platform’s top 10 shows across 83 countries.
Meanwhile, Kim Soo-Hyun made his TV debut in 2007 with family sitcom Kimchi Cheese Smile and he went on to establish himself in shows Dream High and Moon Embracing Sun.
His other credits include My Love from the Star, The Producers and It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.
In 2020, Kim Soo-Hyun was one of South Korea’s highest-paid actors.
He was also reportedly due to star in a Disney Plus series, which has been put on pause due to the scandal, according to Korean publication Yonhap.
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