Kim Soo-hyun Denies Dating Kim Sae-ron as a Minor: “We Were Just Ordinary Lovers”

On March 31, actor Kim Soo-hyun held an urgent press conference at the Stanford Hotel in Seoul, publicly denying allegations that he was romantically involved with the late Kim Sae-ron during her time as a minor.

"Let me address the most pressing question," Kim said.

Accompanied by his legal representative, Kim appeared solemn in a black suit and opened with a deep 90-degree bow of apology.

“I did not date her while she was underage,” he stated. “And the claims that my agency pressured her over financial matters, leading to a tragic end, are also not true.”

Kim confirmed that he and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship for about a year starting in 2019, four years before the airing of Queen of Tears, and that they parted ways without staying in touch. He emphasized that, although both were actors, they were “just ordinary people in a relationship,” and he refrained from contacting her even during her DUI incident due to caution and distance.

"We were just an ordinary couple. We had good feelings for each other, but as time passed, we broke up. We didn’t stay in contact after that."

Visibly emotional, he added:

"To everyone who has supported me, I deeply apologize. I’m anxious even now—wondering how my words will be received. But I felt I needed to speak."

He also responded to claims made by a YouTube channel representing Kim Sae-ron’s family, which alleged the two had been dating since she was 15. The channel shared private photos and handwritten letters as supposed evidence. In response, Kim’s agency Gold Medalist previously clarified that the relationship began after she became an adult and claimed they had helped repay her substantial debts.

As the scandal escalated, Kim’s public appearances were affected: his segments were cut from MBC’s Good Day, many of his brand deals have been terminated, his Taiwan fan meeting was canceled, and the release of his upcoming Disney+ series Knock Off has been postponed.

This marks the first time Kim Soo-hyun has spoken directly on the matter since the allegations surfaced 21 days ago.

The press conference was held without a Q&A session. Public attention now turns to the fallout and how his statement may impact the ongoing controversy.