Kim Soo Hyun issues public apology, denies dating Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor

Kim Soo Hyun turned emotional as he denied allegations that he dated Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor. He also apologized that the latter “isn’t able to rest in peace.”

In a press conference on Monday, March 31, the Korean actor began his statement by issuing an apology to everyone who has been affected by his recent controversy involving the late actress, who died by suicide in February.

"Firstly, I am sorry. Because of me, I think so many people are suffering. And also I feel sorry that the late actor [Kim Sae Ron] isn't able to rest in peace," the actor said as translated to English by Korea JoongAng Daily.

Soo Hyun admitted he considers himself a "coward" as he has "always been too preoccupied with holding on to what I have."

"I couldn’t even trust the goodwill that came my way, always fearing loss, harm, and running away, denying everything," he said. "That’s why it took me so long to stand here today."

On allegations he dated Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor

He confirmed dating Sae Ron for "about a year," but noted that it happened when she was already an adult.

According to him, it took a while for him to admit their romance as the dating speculations between them circulated online while he was filming the hit show Queen of Tears. "I was in the same situation when [Kim Sae Ron] posted a picture of her and me when Queen of Tears was airing. I was together with her for about a year, about 4 years before the drama aired. But at that time, I denied our relationship. I fully understand that criticizing my choice is justified."

According to him, he "had so much to protect" as its lead actor. "What would have happened if I had admitted to a year-long relationship? What would happen to the actors, the staff who were working overnight and the production team who had all everything staked on that project? What would happen to our agency’s employees?"

"I’m willing to receive any criticism that say I am selfish and cowardly," he continued.

The actor stressed that his relationship with Sae Ron "was just like that of any other ordinary couple."

"I couldn’t let it be. I couldn’t accept [them] coercing me to take what’s fake as the truth. I never dated Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor," he stressed. "Except for the fact that both of us were actors, our relationship was just like that of any other ordinary couple." 

On claims about Kim Sae Ron's debt repayments

"It is not true that she had made this tragic choice because of me or my agency pressuring her over a debt," he stressed.

Soo Hyun was referring to allegations that he urged her to repay her debt before her passing.

Prior to his statement, Soo Hyun's agency addressed the accusations and noted they did not demand any compensation from Sae Ron for damages related to Queen of Tears, saying that "it is also impossible to claim compensation for damages for posting photos on social media or contacting agency actors." 

After Sae Ron posted a photo with Soo Hyun while Queen of Tears was airing, the agency said they only "felt the need" to inform the actress that her actions could impact the show, cast and crew, broadcasting station, and all related parties.

"We reiterate that we did not pressure Kim Sae Ron regarding compensation for damages."

On alleged private messages between him and Kim Sae Ron

Soo Hyun added that he didn't get in touch with Sae Ron after their split. "We dated with good feelings and after some time, we broke up. After that, we weren’t able to contact each other like we used to. Just like any other couple, contacting a lover after breaking up is a very cautious thing."

He went on to claim that Sae Ron's family "is asserting that I pushed her to death" through "fake testimonials and evidence [that] are piling up just because we dated."

"They are demanding me to confess to something that I didn’t do. [They said] you played with her even from when she was a minor. You threatened her with money. So you are a murderer."

He alleged that Sae Ron's family is "framing me as paedophile, accusing me of grooming based on KakaoTalk chats we had in 2016."

Denying the alleged private messages shared by Sae Ron's camp, he said, "The person who is having the conversation with the late actor is different for the KakaoTalk chats made in 2016 and 2018. In order to prove this, I have requested analysis into the KakaoTalk chat revealed by the late actor’s family in 2016, 2018, and this year. The agency showed that the chat made in 2016 and 2018 were made by different people. There is evidence of photos and videos and KakaoTalk chat that’s not original but that have been cleverly manipulated."

"I have done what I have done. I will take any criticism for that. But the things I haven’t done, I haven’t done. I want to clear my name. I will not ask for trust. I will prove it. Thank you," he concluded.

This comes a few days after Sae Ron's family released alleged private messages between the late actress and Soo Hyun from when she was a minor in 2016.

Bu Ji-seok, an attorney who represents the late actor's family, shared the supposed evidence in a press conference to contend Soo Hyun's previous statement claiming that his relationship with Sae Ron didn't happen when she was underage.

Soo Hyun's agency denied dating rumors with Sae Ron twice, first in March 2024 and in March of this year. It was only on March 14 when he finally confirmed that they dated, but clarified that it did not happen when Sae Ron was just 15 years old and Soo Hyun was 28.

The actor starred in various hit K-dramas, including Queen of Tears, Its Okay Not to Be Okay, My Love from the Star, The Moon Embracing the Sun, Dream High, and The Producers, among others.

Sae Ron, meanwhile, began her career at nine years old and became a notable child star by starring in the thriller-drama Korean film A Brand New Life. She also starred in the 2010 action-thriller film The Man From Nowhere.