The late Kim Sae-ron / Xportsnews

One year after the death of South Korean actor Kim Sae-ron, the controversy surrounding her alleged past relationship with top star Kim Soo-hyun remains unresolved — with lawsuits, counterclaims and online accusations still dividing public opinion.

Kim, who rose to fame as a child actor and later faced intense scrutiny after a drunk-driving incident in 2022, was found dead at her home on Feb. 16 last year at age 25. A friend who had planned to meet her discovered her and reported it to police. Authorities later said there was no evidence of foul play.

Allegations, lawsuits and a battle over the past

The dispute that continues to shadow her legacy erupted after her death, when her bereaved family, via the controversial YouTube channel HoverLab (known in Korean as “Garo Sero Institute”), claimed Kim had dated Kim Soo-hyun while she was still a minor. They released photos and letters and filed a complaint accusing the actor of violating child welfare laws.

The family also said Kim had been under severe psychological pressure after receiving a legal notice from her former agency Gold Medalist demanding payment of a 700 million won ($490,000) penalty fee, which they linked to her eventual death.

Kim Soo-hyun’s side has denied wrongdoing, saying any relationship occurred only after Kim Sae-ron became an adult. Since March last year, his agency has pursued defamation, false accusation and stalking charges, along with a civil lawsuit worth about 12 billion won, keeping the legal battle alive through the first anniversary of her death.

Career fallout and delayed projects

The scandal effectively halted Kim Soo-hyun’s career. He has remained out of public activities, and the release of his Disney+ series “Knock-Off” has been postponed indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Kim Sae-ron’s posthumous work has continued to reach audiences. The film “Guitar Man,” which she completed before her death, premiered May 30 last year, three months after she died. Another film, “Everyday, We,” is scheduled for release in March, marking her final on-screen appearance.

Source: Korea Times News