According to The Korea TimesSeo addressed the claims in a post on Naver fan café on March 14, stating that she felt “overwhelmed, exhausted, fed up, sad and suffocated” by the baseless rumors.

“Can we just… stop now? I have no connection to him or his cousin,” she wrote. “I don’t even know why I have to clarify this.”

Seo also shared a screenshot of a comment asking whether she had an affair with Kim Soo Hyun while he was in a relationship. In response, she firmly denied the claim, writing: “Stop. Please, just stop.”

“It’s exhausting to endure this,” she added. “I have not met the person you are talking about, nor his cousin. Stop it. It’s suffocating.”

Seo was previously signed under Gold Medalist, the agency co-founded by Kim Soo Hyun and his cousin Lee Sa Rang. Speculation about her alleged relationship with Kim Soo Hyun began in June 2020, when late entertainment reporter Kim Yong Ho claimed that Seo had dated Lee Sa Rang after breaking up with Kim Soo Hyun, according to Chosun Biz.

The allegations resurfaced amid growing controversy surrounding Kim Soo Hyun’s past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron.

The YouTube channel Hoverlab, also known as Garo Sero Institute, aired an interview on March 10 with a woman who identified herself as Kim Sae Ron’s aunt. During the interview, she alleged that Kim Soo Hyun had been romantically involved with Kim Sae Ron since she was 15.

Kim Sae Ron’s family subsequently alleged that the two had a six-year relationship and that Kim Soo Hyun later pressured her to repay 700 million won (US$482,000). According to the family, this financial burden contributed to her struggles before her death.

The disputed sum was allegedly provided by Kim Soo Hyun and Gold Medalist as compensation to handle the fallout from Kim Sae Ron’s 2022 DUI incident, which severely impacted her career.

Seo, 35, made her acting debut in the 2013 sitcom “Potato Star 2013QR3” before taking on major roles in “Diary of a Night Watchman,” “Last,” and “Moorim School: Saga of the Brave.” She gained widespread recognition for her role in the romantic comedy “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” in which she starred alongside Kim Soo Hyun.

Kim Soo Hyun, 37, debuted in 2007 and has since become one of South Korea’s highest-paid actors. He gained international fame with hit dramas such as “Dream High,” “The Moon Embracing the Sun,” “My Love from the Star,” “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” and his latest work “Queen of Tears.” Apart from acting, he earns substantial income through endorsements.

Kim Sae Ron was found deceased at her home in Seoul on Feb. 16 at the age of 25. Authorities ruled out foul play, and her funeral was held on Feb. 19.

She gained international recognition as the youngest South Korean actress to attend the Cannes Film Festival for her role in the 2009 film “A Brand New Life.” She was also the youngest nominee for Best Actress at South Korea’s prestigious Baeksang Awards.

However, her career declined significantly following her 2022 drunk driving incident, which resulted in the loss of acting roles and endorsement deals.