New letter, photo deepen scrutiny over Korean actor
By KTimes
Actor Kim Soo-hyun’s agency said Thursday that it would issue a formal statement in response to the growing controversy surrounding allegations of a past relationship with the late actor Kim Sae-ron.
His agency, Gold Medalist, said in a release, “We would like to address the recent claims regarding Kim Soo-hyun aired on the YouTube channel Hoverlab (Garo Sero Institute).”
The agency said, “Gold Medalist will clarify the facts and respond to baseless rumors with clear evidence by releasing an official statement next week,” adding, “We apologize for the prolonged fatigue this situation may have caused.”
New letter, photos
A newly revealed letter and photo have added further scrutiny to the growing controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, as Kim Sae-ron’s family continues to claim the two were in a romantic relationship.
On Wednesday, Kim Sae-ron’s family disclosed a letter it alleges Kim Soo-hyun wrote to her during his military service, along with another photo showing the actor kissing her on the cheek.
The information was released via the YouTube channel Hoverlab, which had earlier aired claims from the family alleging that the two had dated for six years, beginning when Kim Sae-ron was 15.
Although neither of their full names appears in the letter, it is addressed to “Saero Nero,” a nickname for Kim Sae-ron, and signed by “PFC (private first class) Kim from afar,” prompting speculation that it was indeed sent by Kim Soo-hyun.
Dated June 9, 2018, the letter contains detailed descriptions of military life and includes affectionate lines such as “It’s a good day to think of Saero Nero,” “What I can say most honestly is that I miss you” and “I’ll keep doing my best. Respectfully.” Kim Soo-hyun served in the military from October 2017 to July 2019.
The family also released previously unseen photos, including a selfie showing Kim Soo-hyun kissing Kim Sae-ron on the cheek, which they say further supports their claim of a romantic relationship.
Kim Sae-ron’s aunt emphasized that the two were in a serious relationship, saying they even talked about getting married. “They discussed marriage,” she said. “That was after she became an adult, in her early 20s.”
The allegations first surfaced on March 10, when Hoverlab cited Kim Sae-ron’s family as saying the two had been romantically involved from 2015 to 2021. Kim Sae-ron was born in 2000, while Kim Soo-hyun was born in 1988.
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, strongly denied the allegations, calling them “baseless falsehoods” and stating that it is preparing the “strongest level of legal response.” Despite the agency’s denial, the release of additional content continues to fuel public speculation, drawing significant attention from both the entertainment and advertising industries.
A letter released by Kim Sae-ron’s family, which it alleges Kim Soo-hyun sent to Kim Sae-ron during Kim Soo-hyun’s military service / Screenshot from Hoverlab
Broadcast, brands on edge amid backlash
As public sentiment continues to sour, viewers have flooded the message board of the MBC variety show “Good Day” with calls for Kim Soo-hyun’s removal. According to the Maeil Business Newspaper, Kim Soo-hyun will not attend the shoot on Thursday.
The show, a musical collaboration project led by G-Dragon, has yet to issue an official statement on Kim Soo-hyun’s status.
Kim Soo-hyun’s official online fan community has made all posts private, leaving only a notice on a temporary bulletin board. A social media account run by one of his international fans with 430,000 followers was also shut down, with the final message reading, “To the actor I once admired, goodbye.”
The situation has also cast a shadow on Kim Soo-hyun’s upcoming Disney+ drama “Knock-Off,” in which he plays the lead role. A Disney+ official has said the release schedule has not yet been confirmed.
Several brands featuring Kim Soo-hyun as a commercial model have also begun adjusting their marketing strategies or closely monitoring the situation.
Dinto, a vegan beauty brand, announced that it placed all promotional activities involving Kim Soo-hyun on hold. Other companies, including Homeplus and Tous les Jours, said they are reviewing their partnerships with the actor.
Some brands, such as K2 Korea and Shabu All Day, have already removed promotional images of Kim Soo-hyun from their websites and social media channels.
With more information revealed and public sentiment shifting rapidly, the pressure continues to mount for Kim Soo-hyun and his agency to respond more definitively to the allegations.
Based on an article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, this article was translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
