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MANILA, Philippines — South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun's management agency, Gold Medalist, has officially addressed the allegations regarding his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. In a statement released Friday, March 14, the agency confirmed that the two had dated but firmly denied claims that their relationship began when Sae-ron was still a minor.
South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun INSTAGRAM PHOTO/SOOHYUN_K216
The controversy erupted after the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute alleged that Soo-hyun had been romantically involved with Sae-ron before she reached adulthood. The channel further suggested that the actor bore some responsibility for Sae-ron's tragic passing in February.
Gold Medalist initially planned to release a more detailed response at a later date but decided to issue an urgent statement after concerns arose over Soo-hyun's mental well-being.
"Kim Soo-hyun showed sudden instability in his psychological health early this morning, so we are taking measures to make sure he is in complete stability. He has been suffering through extreme confusion and chaos due to Garo Sero Institute's claims he was responsible for Kim Sae-ron's sudden death," Gold Medalist's statement read as translated by Koreaboo.
Additionally, the agency reported that individuals with cameras had been seen around their company headquarters.
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"After their live broadcast ended on March 12, people in cars with cameras were waiting in the company's parking lot and across the building's main entrance. Also, around lunchtime on March 13, people holding cameras were loitering around the building, adding to the psychological pressure placed on Kim Soo-hyun," the statement said.
In a separate lengthy statement, Gold Medalist confirmed that Soo-hyun and Sae-ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020 — a period after Sae-ron had already become a legal adult. The agency emphasized that there was no romantic involvement while she was still a minor.
Gold Medalist refuted claims of an underage relationship, clarifying that the photos circulated by Garo Sero Institute were taken in 2019 and 2020. The agency stated that Sae-ron's Instagram photo from March 24, 2024, and the image shared by Garo Sero Institute on March 11, 2025, were private photos from the winter of 2020 when she and Soo-hyun were dating. They also pointed out that her outfit in the picture was from a brand released in June 2019, disproving claims that the photo was taken in 2016. Additionally, the agency confirmed that another photo shared on March 12, 2025, was from Christmas Eve 2019, with metadata verifying the date. A March 13, 2025, image was taken the same day, as indicated by their matching outfits. Gold Medalist emphasized that all shared photos were taken after Sae-ron became an adult, dismissing claims of a relationship when she was a minor as baseless.
The agency also addressed speculation surrounding a military letter that Soo-hyun had sent to Sae-ron. Garo Sero Institute had cited this letter as evidence of a long-standing romantic relationship. However, Gold Medalist refuted this claim, stating, "Kim Soo-hyun's letter to Kim Sae-ron while he was in the military was just one of the letters he sent to his close friends. The phrase 'I miss you' was a common expression used among soldiers toward their acquaintances." Additionally, the agency clarified that Sae-ron's nickname, 'Saero Nero,' had been publicly used by her since 2016 and not a private term of endearment shared exclusively between her and Soo-hyun.
Gold Medalist criticized Garo Sero Institute for using unverifiable sources and distorting facts, stating that their claims were based on speculative reports and misleading images.
The statement also addressed the ethical implications of exposing the private lives of public figures, particularly when it involved the deceased.
Rumors regarding Soo-hyun and Sae-ron's relationship had previously surfaced in 2023 when Sae-ron shared an old photo of herself with Soo-hyun on her Instagram Stories. At the time, Gold Medalist denied any romantic involvement, and the speculation eventually faded from public attention.
However, following Sae-ron's tragic passing on February 16, at the age of 24, discussions regarding her personal and professional struggles resurfaced.
Kim Soo-hyun, 37, is one of South Korea's most celebrated actors, known for hit dramas such as "Queen of Tears," "It's Okay to Not Be Okay," and "My Love from the Star."
