The controversy surrounding Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron escalated significantly on May 7, 2025, when a press conference was held by the bereaved family’s lawyer, Bu Ji Seok, and Garo Sero’s Kim Se Ui. During this press conference, an alleged audio recording surfaced, reportedly featuring the late actor discussing her sexual relationship with Kim Soo Hyun. This revelation included disturbing details about their physical involvement when Sae Ron was only 14 years old. The leaked audio also touched on Kim Soo Hyun’s rumored relationship with an idol, alongside troubling nicknames he allegedly used for his former girlfriend. A New Jersey-based whistleblower, who provided this audio, was later brutally attacked and stabbed multiple times in what appears to have been a targeted assault. In a surprising twist, Kim Won Bin’s name emerged again, as he had reportedly offered significant support to Kim Sae Ron during difficult times, even offering financial help after her DUI incident.
The whistleblower, identified as a Korean man residing in New Jersey, shared a recording of an intimate conversation he had with Kim Sae Ron on January 10, 2025. In this conversation, Kim Sae Ron expressed her frustration over being blamed as “the crazy one” after publicly acknowledging her past relationship with Soo Hyun. She revealed that few people knew about their relationship from when she was in middle school, and those who did were quick to criticize her. Following Kim Sae Ron’s death, the whistleblower, referred to as “acquaintance A,” became the victim of a violent attack, allegedly being stabbed nine times in the neck by two men, one Korean and one of Chinese-Korean descent. The attack is being treated as an attempt to silence the whistleblower, and the FBI has since become involved in the investigation, with the suspects being arrested. The case is now under federal investigation rather than being handled by local New Jersey authorities.
According to Garosero, the FBI is taking the case very seriously. The whistleblower has been severely injured, with his hand damaged and a significant portion of the nerves in his neck being severed. The assailants reportedly targeted him in an effort to prevent him from revealing further information. The FBI is treating the attack as an attempted murder, suggesting that someone may have been trying to eliminate a key witness in this growing scandal. It’s also been confirmed that the whistleblower’s injuries are serious, with his ability to function significantly impaired due to the extent of the wounds.
Kim Won Bin’s involvement in this case has left many questions unanswered. The whistleblower’s wife, in a public statement, shared the harrowing details of the couple’s experiences, including the threats and fear they endured in the aftermath of the leak. She described how strangers seemed to know private details of their lives, and how, after seeing her husband covered in blood, she feared for his life. Among those who offered support during this difficult period was Kim Won Bin, who reportedly came to their aid in a quiet and respectful manner. Although the wife did not specify the kind of assistance Won Bin offered, her words suggest that his actions meant more to them than mere financial aid. This has led many to wonder about the depth of Kim Won Bin’s involvement in the situation, given his past connection to Kim Sae Ron, whom he had worked with in the past and reportedly cared about deeply.
The wife of the whistleblower also revealed that her husband had been offered a settlement of ₩4 billion (approximately $3 million USD), along with a demand to bury the recording that had been leaked. Despite the offer, the whistleblower chose to reject the deal, citing his desire to bring the truth to light. This decision came at great personal cost, as he and his family faced ongoing threats and intimidation. The whistleblower’s refusal to remain silent has drawn attention to the broader implications of the case and the attempts to suppress crucial evidence. According to the whistleblower’s wife, the audio recording was only one piece of the puzzle, with further evidence being hidden from the public. She has implied that there is more to this story than what has already been revealed.
Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has denied the authenticity of the audio recording, calling it “fabricated” and claiming that it was generated by artificial intelligence. The agency has gone on the offensive, labeling the whistleblower as a fraudster. According to Gold Medalist, the whistleblower had initially approached them with an alternate version of the recording, in which Kim Sae Ron spoke highly of Kim Soo Hyun. The whistleblower allegedly demanded a large sum of money in exchange for providing the recording, but the agency rejected his offer. After being rebuffed, the whistleblower then went to Garo Sero with the original version of the recording. Despite the agency’s dismissal of the recording’s authenticity, the whistleblower and his wife continue to maintain that there is more undisclosed evidence that has yet to come to light.
The situation surrounding Kim Soo Hyun has become increasingly complex, with both the public and authorities now involved in the investigation. While some believe that the audio recordings are genuine and provide a chilling insight into the scandal, others view the case as a potential hoax. The involvement of the FBI has added a layer of seriousness to the situation, suggesting that this is no longer just a celebrity scandal but a matter of legal importance. The whistleblower and his wife have stated that they plan to go public with further information once they feel it is safe to do so. In the meantime, the FBI is continuing its investigation, working to uncover the full extent of the truth behind the allegations and the violent attack on the whistleblower.
As the case continues to unfold, the role of Kim Won Bin remains shrouded in mystery. Was his involvement merely that of a compassionate friend offering financial assistance, or did he play a more significant role in the events surrounding Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron? The actor has yet to address the claims made by the whistleblower’s wife, leaving the public to speculate on his true involvement. Given the complexity of the situation and the ongoing investigations, it is clear that this case is far from over, and more revelations may emerge in the coming weeks. With the FBI now involved, it seems likely that the truth behind this controversy will eventually be revealed.
For now, the whistleblower’s family continues to live in fear, with the wife expressing hope that, eventually, justice will prevail. Despite the threats and violence they have faced, the whistleblower’s commitment to exposing the truth has remained unwavering. It is still unclear how the legal system will handle the case or whether the public will fully comprehend the extent of what has occurred. But as the investigation progresses, it is clear that the saga of Kim Soo Hyun, Kim Sae Ron, and the whistleblower is far from reaching its conclusion. The situation is likely to remain in the public eye as more deve
lopments unfold.