Kim Soo-hyun, one of South Korea’s highest-paid and most prominent actors, is at the center of controversy following allegations that he had a romantic relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage.

The claim, made by the YouTube channel Hoverlab on Monday, has sparked public outrage and concern within the entertainment and retail industries, potentially damaging Kim’s reputation.

According to Hoverlab, Kim and Kim Sae-ron had been romantically involved for six years, beginning when she was 15 and he was 27.

Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, strongly denied the allegations in a statement reported by South Korean media outlet Naver, calling the claims “completely false” and warned of “the strongest possible legal action.”

Kim Sae-ron, known for her roles in The Man from Nowhere and HI! School Love On, was found dead at her residence in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, in February.

The day after Hoverlab’s claims emerged, the channel released a photo showing Kim Soo-hyun kissing Kim Sae-ron on the cheek, fueling further speculation. Some netizens linked Kim Sae-ron’s death to Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday on 16 February, implying a connection.

The backlash was swift, with viewers calling for Kim Soo-hyun to be removed from MBC’s variety show Good Day, hosted by K-pop icon G-Dragon. His upcoming Disney+ series Knock-Off has also faced scrutiny.

The controversy has also impacted brands tied to Kim. Homeplus, a major grocery chain that recently hired him to revamp its image, stated, “There is no change for now, and we will decide after assessing the situation.”

Meanwhile, bakery chain Tous les Jours, owned by CJ Foodville, is reportedly reconsidering its relationship with Kim, as his contract is set to expire this month.

Online reactions have been divided. Some netizens have accused Kim Soo-hyun of grooming, resurfacing past videos in which he made remarks they deemed questionable regarding relationships with younger individuals. Others have defended him, emphasizing that no confirmed evidence supports the allegations.

In March 2024, Kim Sae-ron faced criticism after posting a photo of herself with Kim Soo-hyun on social media.

The image, where their cheeks touched, sparked rumors of a romantic relationship. Gold Medalist denied the speculation, and critics accused Kim Sae-ron of seeking attention while Queen of Tears, starring Kim Soo-hyun, was gaining popularity.

The backlash led to her withdrawal from the play Dongchimi, with producers citing “health reasons” for her departure.

On 13 March, Gold Medalist announced that it would issue a formal statement addressing the allegations.

“We would like to address the recent claims regarding Kim Soo-hyun aired on the YouTube channel Hoverlab (Garo Sero Institute). Gold Medalist will clarify the facts and respond to baseless rumors with clear evidence by releasing an official statement next week. We apologize for the prolonged fatigue this situation may have caused.”

On Wednesday, Kim Sae-ron’s family disclosed a letter they claim Kim Soo-hyun wrote to her during his military service, alongside another photo showing Kim Soo-hyun kissing her on the cheek.

The letter, dated 9 June, 2018, was addressed to “Saero Nero,” a known nickname for Kim Sae-ron, and signed by “PFC (Private First Class) Kim from afar,” fueling speculation that Kim Soo-hyun was the sender.

The letter contained affectionate messages, including “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.

Kim Sae-ron’s family also claimed that the two had discussed marriage after she became an adult. Her aunt stated, “They discussed marriage. That was after she became an adult, in her early 20s.”

On 14 March, Gold Medalist confirmed that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019 to the autumn of 2020, after Kim Sae-ron had reached adulthood.

“It is not true that Kim Soo-hyun dated Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. The photos Kim Sae-ron shared on her Instagram story on March 24, 2024, and the photos released by the Garosero Research Institute on March 11, 2025, were both private photos taken on the same day in the winter of 2020 during their relationship,” the agency stated.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the public remains divided, with some condemning Kim Soo-hyun and others urging caution until evidence is verified.