South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun, one of the industry’s highest-paid and most popular stars, is facing controversy over allegations of a past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. The claims surfaced when Sae-ron’s aunt made a shocking revelation on the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, alleging that the two were in a relationship for six years, beginning in 2015. The controversy intensified as it was claimed that Sae-ron was just 15 years old at the time, while Kim Soo-hyun was 27.

Amid the ongoing controversy, an old interview with It’s Okay to Not Be Okay actor Kim Soo-hyun has resurfaced on social media. The interview took place during a promotional event for his K-drama The Moon Embracing the Sun in December 2012 in Japan, where he was joined by co-stars Han Ga-in and child actress Kim Yoo-jung. According to a report by the Korean media outlet TV Report, a particular comment Soo-hyun made about 13-year-old Kim Yoo-jung at the event has now drawn significant attention online.

When asked about what Yoo Jung was like, Soo Hyun, who was 24 back then, said, “I guess I previously thought of her as too much a baby. After seeing her in real life, I thought she was confident and smart, and I didn’t feel like she was young. I can’t wait to see her mature, and I think I’ll be able to soon meet her as partners in a drama."

Though the comment initially went unnoticed, its resurfacing after allegations of Soo Hyun’s relationship with Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor has led to widespread outrage. Many on the internet found his remark quite “unsettling" and “creepy". Others wondered why a grown-up man would anticipate working with a child actress as his romantic counterpart in a future drama.

One user said, “I mean, he said it when she was 13… that’s kinda weird no matter how you spin it.."

Another quipped, “I remember thinking at the time, why would you say that to a 13-year-old girl? But I didn’t go into it, I guess because of the good image he conveys… but the saying goes, we see faces, but we don’t know hearts…"

“Look at her reaction. She was probably uncomfortable every time they were together," pointed out a different user.

Ever since the scandal related to Kim Soo Hyun unfolded, people on the internet have demanded the cancellation of his upcoming projects and brand deals as well.