Dating rumors between Kim so Hyun and Kim Sae Ron erupted in March 2024, when the actress posted a photo with Kim so Hyun. In the picture, the two pose intimately with their cheeks close to each other. However, Kim Sae Ron quickly deleted the photo shortly afterwards.

An intimate photo of Kim Sae Ron and Kim so Hyun was revealed by YouTubers on the afternoon of March 11.

In the midst of controversy about the relationship between the two, revealed from Kim Sae Ron’s biological aunt, Korean news agencies published another photo on the afternoon of March 11. In the photo, Kim so Hyun kisses Kim Sae Ron on the cheek. Notably, the two wore outfits identical to the controversial photo, suggesting that the two photos could have been taken at the same time.

The picture was called “proof of steel” by the audience because Kim so Hyun five times seven times confirmed that he had never dated Sae Ron.

On March 10, through a YouTuber’s livestream, this person said that Kim Sae Ron’s biological aunt revealed that her niece and Kim so Hyun started dating in 2015, when she was 15 years old and the actor was 27 years old. The relationship is said to last six years, until 2021.

In 2019, after Kim so Hyun established his own management company Gold Medalist, Kim Sae Ron decided not to renew his contract with YG Entertainment but joined his company. Notably, in Kim Sae Ron’s drunk driving accident, the company paid 700 million won (about $483,000) in compensation without asking her to reimburse her. However, in 2024, the company suddenly demanded this money back.

The message of the actress asking for help, asking Kim so Hyun for more time to repay the debt of 700 million won (12.4 billion VND) is causing a stir in public opinion even though there is no authentic evidence. Many opinions say that it is the pressure of debt, plus the criticism of the media, that has made Sae Ron make an extreme choice.

On the actor’s personal page, he is flooded with critical comments from netizens.

“As the actor with the highest salary in Korea, 300 million won/1 episode. Kim Sae Ron’s debt of 700 million won is only equivalent to his 2 episodes”, “Last year he denied ‘not having a relationship, didn’t understand what the purpose of posting Kim Sae Ron’s photos was’, let his fans kill his ex-lover”, “Kim so Hyun is too bad”, “Why bring me here but forget to take me away, Sae Ron’s funeral has no flowers or goodbyes”, “Fans are worried about putting away the poster”…

Public opinion asked Kim Soo Hyun to give a clear explanation, especially regarding the dating allegation when Kim Sae Ron was still a minor. Old images and interviews are being dug up online, increasing the pressure on the actor.

Keywords related to the incident have filled social networks, such as China’s Weibo, which attracts tens of millions of readers, trending Twitter and Facebook.

Influence on Kim so Hyun’s career

Despite being entangled in noise, Kim so Hyun is still one of the most attractive actors in Korea. He is currently filming Disney+’s Knock Off and recently appeared on MBC’s Good Day. Besides, the actor is still the face of more than 10 major brands, showing that his commercial value is still stable.

However, experts say that if the case does not have a convincing explanation soon, Kim so Hyun’s image may be seriously affected. Whether the allegations are true or not, negative public opinion can still leave long-term consequences.

Kim so Hyun is the actor with the highest salary in Korea.

Kim Sae Ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong District at 4:54 p.m. on February 16. According to police, there were no signs of criminal activity and no suicide note was found. She was supposed to meet her friend that day, but this person found her lifeless.

After the car accident scandal in 2022, Kim Sae Ron withdrew from the entertainment industry, had a series of projects canceled, and left the Gold Medalist company.