Actor Breaks Silence Over Controversy Involving Late Actress Kim Sae-ron
South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference on March 31 to publicly address the growing controversy surrounding his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. Breaking his silence for the first time, Kim denied having been romantically involved with her when she was underage and rejected accusations of coercion or causing emotional distress. ‘If I did something wrong, I will take responsibility. But I will never admit to something I didn’t do,’ he said.
Kim explained that he had stayed silent for years out of fear that speaking out would hurt his castmates and production teams. He admitted to dating Kim Sae-ron for about a year but insisted they had little contact after the breakup. He questioned the authenticity of the evidence presented against him, including edited KakaoTalk messages and misdated photos. He claimed to have submitted forensic reports showing that some of the conversations were not from him.
Calls Out Contradictions in Testimony and Media Reports
During the conference, Kim played a voice recording that he said highlighted inconsistencies between public statements and private remarks from Kim Sae-ron’s former agency. He emphasized that he would not confess to lies under pressure and said he owed the truth to those who still believed in him.
Full Statement by Kim Soo-hyun:
Hello, I’m Kim Soo-hyun. First of all, I want to say sorry. Because of me, many people have suffered, and I feel that the late Kim Sae-ron cannot rest in peace. I feel only endless regret. I’ve been a coward, always trying to protect what I have, unable to trust people’s kindness, afraid of losing something or getting hurt—so I chose to run away, to deny, to bury myself in fear.
It took me a long time to stand here. I used to think, what if I had spoken earlier—would my fans, my company, and those who worked hard for me be less hurt? Every time my private life with the late Sae-ron was exposed, I told myself: ‘Say everything tomorrow and end this hell.’ But each time, I hesitated, worrying: ‘What will my decision do to others? Will I ruin everything?’
When Queen of Tears aired, Sae-ron posted a photo of us. We had dated for about a year five years ago. At the time, I denied it. I now understand why people criticize me. If you don’t believe what I say about our relationship, I understand. But I have only this chance to speak, so I ask you to listen.
I became an actor and received love beyond my worth. I had nothing, and then suddenly, I had too much to protect. As the lead of Queen of Tears, I had to protect so much. If I had admitted the past relationship then, what would’ve happened? How would it affect the cast, crew, and my company? Each time I had to choose between Kim Soo-hyun the person and the celebrity—I chose the celebrity. I was scared every day.
If I could go back, I would still make the same choice. I did what I had to do to feel at peace. But I regret it. If you think that was weak, or criticize me, I accept it. To everyone who cares about me, I’m sorry. Even now, I’m scared. But this is who I am, and I need to speak.
People told me to downplay things, to show humility, and wait until attention fades. Maybe if I had listened, my private life wouldn’t have been exposed so severely. But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t accept threats that forced me to admit lies as truth.
I want to be clear about the most asked part: I did not date Sae-ron when she was underage. Her death was not caused by emotional or financial pressure from me or my agency. We were just two actors who met with good intentions and broke up over time. We had little contact after. When her DUI happened, I couldn’t just call her—especially when I heard she was dating someone else.
Her family and agency claimed I drove her to her death. They labeled me a predator and said I used money to harm her. I can’t accept those lies. I’ve submitted scientific evidence that the 2016 and 2018 KakaoTalk messages were not from the same person, and that certain photos were dated incorrectly. If their evidence is real, I urge them to submit it to an official investigation. I will do the same.
I still see people who believe in me, and they are hurting too. I don’t know what lies will be posted next. But if I admit to lies, I betray both myself and those who trust me. I may wear a thick mask as a celebrity, but I will never do that. What I did—I will take responsibility for. But what I didn’t do—I will never admit. I’m not asking you to believe me. I’m promising to prove it. Thank you.
