Kim Sae-ron

Following Kim Sae-ron's death in February 2025, her family and a YouTube channel claimed that she had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun while she was a minor and also raised grievances concerning a debt owed to their former agency. The affair became a major scandal in Korea.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Person targeted by the proceedings

Kim Soo-hyun

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Kim Sae-ron briefly posted a photograph on Instagram showing her cheek to cheek with actor Kim Soo-hyun, then deleted it minutes later. The action immediately sparked relationship rumours and criticism of her intentions.

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Directly implicated

In April 2024, the announcement of her stage comeback in the play Dongchimi, two years after her drink-driving accident, prompted debate over whether her return was premature. The following day, the production announced her withdrawal, officially citing health reasons.

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Directly implicated

In May 2022, Kim drove while intoxicated in Gangnam, hitting a transformer among other objects and causing a power outage that affected dozens of businesses for several hours. Her blood alcohol level exceeded 0.2%. In April 2023, she was fined 20 million won and did not contest the judgment.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Personally implicated

During her drink-driving trial, Kim's defence cited serious financial difficulties arising from compensation and penalties. Shortly afterwards, she posted photographs suggesting that she worked in a café; the chain concerned stated that she had never been employed there. SBS subsequently reported witness accounts of her visiting a poker bar on several occasions.

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Directly implicated

At the age of 13, Kim Sae-ron became the subject of rumours about drinking alcohol and smoking after photographs emerged showing her near wine bottles and cigarettes. The controversy attracted nationwide attention given her age and status as a child actress.

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Directly implicated