On March 14, Kim’s agency, Gold Medalist, issued a statement rejecting the accusations. It clarified that Kim and Kim Sae Ron dated from summer 2019 to autumn 2020, after she had reached adulthood.

“The photos Kim Sae Ron shared on Instagram on Mar. 24, 2024, and those released by Garosero Research Institute on Mar. 11, 2025, were taken on the same day in the winter of 2020, when they were dating,” Gold Medalist stated.

The agency also provided photographic evidence to refute claims of an earlier relationship: “The clothes Kim Sae Ron wore in those images were sold in June 2019, proving the photos were not taken in 2016, when she was a minor.”

Regarding letters Kim Soo Hyun sent during his military service, Gold Medalist clarified that they were friendly messages to close friends, accusing Garosero Research Institute of misrepresenting them as love letters.

Gold Medalist also rejected claims that Kim Soo Hyun pressured Kim Sae Ron to repay debts, calling them “not true.” “Kim Soo Hyun never lent money to Kim Sae Ron, never demanded repayment, and had no authority to do so.”

The agency emphasized that Kim Sae Ron’s debt was solely a matter between her and Gold Medalist. It stated that they had supported her as much as possible in resolving her debts and compensation obligations, but despite these efforts, she was unable to pay off the debt. As a result, the company had to follow legal procedures to gradually clear it.

In a legal document dated Mar 26, 2024, Kim Sae Ron’s lawyer acknowledged Gold Medalist’s assistance, stating: “Our client is grateful for the support provided by the company.”

Gold Medalist further refuted claims that it manipulated statements from Kim Sae Ron’s mother, stating that Garosero Research Institute misattributed a quote to her when it was actually from a friend of her mother. The agency criticized the channel for using misleading captions and anonymous sources to distort the story.

The agency accused the media of twisting the actors’ relationship: “The story of two young adults meeting and parting ways has been distorted into an endless stream of falsehoods, violating the privacy of the deceased and damaging reputations.”

The agency revealed that it had initially planned to release its response next week, but due to Kim Soo Hyun’s unstable mental state, it issued the statement sooner. It stated that following recent reports by Garosero Research Institute, speculation had linked Kim Sae Ron’s sudden passing to Kim Soo Hyun, causing him immense psychological distress and pushing him into a severe emotional state.

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.

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.

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 one of the top-earning actors 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 FlavorsAsia.