The 37-year-old actor has continued his scheduled filming commitments despite the controversy, appearing on the set of the movie “Knock-Off” on Mar. 12 and the show “Good Day” on Mar. 13, according to Ten Asia. During these sessions, he met privately with directors, actors, and staff to apologize for the disruption caused by his personal scandal.

Sources close to Kim revealed that he is struggling mentally, with staff members closely monitoring him. A crew member from “Knock-Off” described his condition as “unstable,” noting that he remained inside his car during breaks.

On Mar. 13, Kim’s management company stated it would “clarify the truth and respond to baseless rumors” spread by the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute in recent livestreams. The agency also apologized for the distress caused to the public.

Meanwhile, Garo Sero Institute has demanded an official response from Kim Soo Hyun and a public apology to Kim Sae Ron and her family. The channel has threatened to release additional damaging photos and videos if Kim Soo Hyun denies the accusations.

Since the allegations surfaced, Kim Soo Hyun has faced backlash from hundreds of thousands of Asian netizens. Some brands have already begun removing his endorsements. According to MK Korea, advertisers are closely monitoring the situation, as Kim remains a high-profile ambassador for multiple major companies in and outside South Korea.

On Tuesday, YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute released a photo of Kim Soo Hyun kissing Kim Sae Ron on the cheek, contradicting his past denials of a romantic relationship. It alleged that he had been dating Kim Sae Ron since she was 15 and called for an investigation into possible misconduct with a minor.

Kim Soo Hyun was also accused of abandoning Kim Sae Ron during her financial struggles.

In March 2024, she allegedly sent him a text pleading for help, asking him to intervene when her former agency, Gold Medalist—which he owns—threatened legal action over a 700 million won (US$482,000) unpaid debt.

Kim Sae Ron was found deceased at her home in Seoul on Feb. 16 by a friend, with no signs of foul play. Her funeral was held on Feb. 19.

The actress was known for making history as the youngest South Korean artist to attend the Cannes Film Festival for her debut role in the 2009 movie “A Brand New Life.” She was also the youngest actress to be nominated for Best Actress at the prestigious Baeksang Awards in South Korea.

However, her career declined after her drunk driving incident, which caused her to lose film projects and endorsement deals.

Kim Soo Hyun, 37, made his television debut in 2007 and became a major figure in South Korea with successful series such as “Dream High,” “The Moon Embracing the Sun,” “My Love from the Star,” “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” and “Queen of Tears.”

Having started his acting career in his school years, he now stands as oneof the top-earningactors in South Korea, consistently commanding the highest average pay per episode, according to local media.

In addition to his acting career, Kim Soo Hyun also earns significant income through endorsement deals with prominent brands.

Despite the controversy, Kim remains one of South Korea’s highest-paid actors, earning approximately $165,000 per television episode and holding an estimated net worth of $117 million as of 2024, according to Flavors Asia.