Photo credit: Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron / IG

The K-drama world is in shock as new allegations have surfaced about top actor Kim Soo Hyun and his alleged past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron—one that reportedly began when she was still a minor.

The Bombshell Revelation

On March 12, 2025 (KST), the Garosero Research Institute (also known as Garo Sero or Gaseyeon) dropped a major bombshell, revealing what they claim is proof of Kim Soo Hyun’s inappropriate relationship with Kim Sae Ron, who was 12 years younger than him. The most talked-about piece of evidence? A handwritten letter from 2018, written while Kim Soo Hyun was serving in the military.

In the letter, the actor affectionately addressed Kim Sae Ron as “Saero-Nero”, shared poetic musings about the weather, and casually described his day at the military base—complete with a tanning session on the helipad. While the letter itself doesn’t explicitly confirm a romantic relationship, the timeline raises eyebrows. Kim Soo Hyun was 30 years old at the time, and Kim Sae Ron was only 17.

The Money Problem

As if that wasn’t enough drama, just a day later (March 13, 2025), a woman claiming to be Kim Sae Ron’s “aunt” (a close family friend rather than a blood relative) dropped even more shocking details. According to her, Kim Sae Ron struggled with ₩700 million KRW (around $483,000 USD) in debt after her infamous DUI scandal led to the cancellation of her role in the 2023 Netflix K-drama Bloodhounds.

The aunt claimed that Kim Soo Hyun personally lent her the money—a statement that contradicts his agency’s official stance. This revelation has led to growing speculation about the true nature of their relationship and whether Kim Soo Hyun had a deeper connection with the actress than he’s letting on.

What’s the Truth?

Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, GOLD MEDALIST, has denied all allegations, dismissing them as baseless rumors. However, Kim Sae Ron’s so-called aunt insists that the relationship was real, and her parents had initially opposed it due to the large age gap.

She also expressed frustration over how Kim Sae Ron was treated by her agency after her DUI scandal, claiming that the legal pressure placed on the young actress was excessive. Tragically, Kim Sae Ron passed away, and her alleged financial and emotional struggles have only added to the heartbreak surrounding this controversy.

Fans Divided

Fans are split over the allegations. Some believe that Kim Soo Hyun is being unfairly targeted and that the evidence is circumstantial at best. Others, however, are deeply concerned about the age gap and the potential power imbalance in the alleged relationship.

Meanwhile, a petition calling for stricter regulations on YouTubers spreading celebrity rumors is gaining traction in South Korea, highlighting the fine line between exposés and privacy violations.

With all eyes on Kim Soo Hyun, one question remains: Will more evidence come to light, or will this controversy fade away?