A recent revelation has shed light on a controversial relationship involving the late South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron and actor Kim Soo-hyun. On May 7, 2025, Kim Sae-ron’s family disclosed an audio recording, which allegedly captures the actress confessing intimate details of her past relationship with Kim Soo-hyun. The recording, reportedly made on January 10, 2025, a month before her passing, has sparked significant public interest and controversy.
The recording was revealed during a press conference held by the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute in Seoul, where a legal representative of Kim Sae-ron’s family presented the audio. In it, Kim Sae-ron shares that she started a romantic relationship with Kim Soo-hyun while still in middle school. The actress claims that their relationship continued until she was in university, with the first sexual encounter taking place during her second year of middle school, over the winter break.
Kim Sae-ron expressed in the recording that, looking back, she felt deceived by Kim Soo-hyun. She questioned why she endured the relationship for so long, admitting confusion and regret. Furthermore, she accused Kim Soo-hyun of making derogatory remarks about another female idol, referring to her as “seaweed,” even showing the actress proof of this on his phone. These revelations have added fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding their relationship.
In response to these claims, Kim Soo-hyun’s representatives have denied the allegations, reiterating that the actor never had a relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was underage. They expressed concern over the continuous spread of what they described as false information. Kim Soo-hyun’s side remains firm in their stance that the two were never romantically involved during her minor years.
The controversy first came to light in March 2025 when the Garo Sero Research Institute accused Kim Soo-hyun of engaging in a six-year relationship with Kim Sae-ron, starting when she was just 15. The accusations generated a massive public outcry, leading to further scrutiny of both individuals’ past interactions. This revelation significantly impacted public perception, raising questions about the ethics of their past relationship.
Following the initial accusations, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, GOLDMEDALIST, acknowledged the relationship but clarified that it began in 2019, when Kim Sae-ron had reached the age of legal adulthood. The agency further disclosed that the relationship ended in the fall of 2020, several years before Kim Sae-ron’s untimely passing. They aimed to correct any misunderstanding regarding the timeline of events.
Kim Soo-hyun personally addressed the allegations in a tearful press conference on March 31, 2025. He confirmed that he had a brief, one-year relationship with Kim Sae-ron but vehemently denied any romantic involvement prior to her turning 18. This public apology was an attempt to clarify the nature of their relationship and distance himself from any claims of inappropriate conduct during her underage years.
Despite the clarification from Kim Soo-hyun’s representatives and his public apology, the controversy continues to stir debate. The audio recording has further complicated the narrative, leaving many to question the true nature of the relationship between the two actors. It remains to be seen how this controversy will evolve, and what further revelations may come to light in the future. The ongoing discourse highlights the challenges of navigating relationships in the public eye, especially when allegations of underage involvement are raised.