The Tragic Backstory: Exploitation of Kim Sae Ron
1. The Controversial Relationship (2015-2021)
- Underage Dating Allegations: Kim Sae Ron’s aunt revealed in a March 2025 interview that Kim Soo Hyun dated the actress from 2015–2021, starting when she was 15 and he was 27.
- Agency Manipulation: Soo Hyun, a co-founder of Gold Medalist, allegedly pressured Sae Ron to leave her previous agency (YG Entertainment) and sign with his fledgling company.
- Unpaid Labor: Sae Ron worked for free under Gold Medalist, training juniors and taking unfavorable contracts to “support her boyfriend’s business.”
2. The Downfall: DUI Scandal & Abandonment (2022-2025)
- May 2022: Sae Ron’s career crashed after a drunk-driving accident damaged public property, leading to industry blacklisting.
- Financial Ruin: Gold Medalist paid ₩700M ($500K) in damages but later demanded repayment, leaving her in debt.
- Isolation & Suicide: Soo Hyun ignored her pleas for help. Sae Ron died by suicide on February 16, 2025—Soo Hyun’s birthday—a date speculated to be a final message.
3. Explosive Revelations (March 2025)
- Hover Lab Exposé: Leaked texts and photos proved their relationship, including a 2016 image of Soo Hyun kissing a minor Sae Ron.
- Public Outrage: Fans uncovered his history of preferring teenage girls, quoting his creepy statement: “When I’m 50, I’d like my wife to be 20.”
Current Legal Fallout (May 2025 Update)
1. Brand Abandonment & Lawsuits
- Terminated Contracts: Prada, Dinto, Shinhan Bank, and Eider dropped Soo Hyun.
- 4M+inLawsuits∗∗:Fourcompaniessuedfor∗∗breachoftrust∗∗;onedemands∗∗4M+inLawsuits∗∗:Fourcompaniessuedfor∗∗breachoftrust∗∗;onedemands∗∗2M alone.
- Disney+ Crisis: His drama Knock-Off (budget: 41M∗∗)isonhold.Herisksliabilityforhis∗∗41M∗∗)isonhold.Herisksliabilityforhis∗∗800K/episode fee.
2. Legal Battles
- Defamation Case: Soo Hyun sued Hover Lab (March 26) for leaking private photos.
- Police Probe: Investigating grooming allegations from 2015–2021.
3. Divided Public Reaction
- Fan Support: Ranked #3 in Star Ranking’s April poll (11,546 votes).
- Backlash: Hashtags like #KimSooHyunIsOver trend as netizens call him “Korea’s Kevin Spacey.”
Conclusion: A Star’s Legacy Destroyed?
Once a Hallyu icon, Kim Soo Hyun now faces financial ruin and career extinction. With trials pending, this scandal highlights the dark side of celebrity power in South Korea.
