According to The Korea TimesKim Soo Hyun was scheduled to participate in the 2025 Kaohsiung Cherry Blossom Festival, set for March 30 in Kaohsiung and organized by 7-Eleven Taiwan. However, ongoing controversies have cast doubt on his appearance, according to reports from Taiwanese media. Should the event be canceled, the actor would be liable for a substantial compensation fee to the organizer.

Kim Soo Hyun was scheduled to perform for 40 minutes at the event. The festival had also intended to launch promotional products bearing his image, including fresh food packaging and coffee cups, and had already distributed tickets for a fan meeting through a lottery, with front-row seats quickly selling out.

The controversy surrounding Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron’s alleged relationship surfaced when Hoverlab broadcasted an interview on March 10 with a woman claiming to be Kim Sae Ron’s aunt. In the interview, the woman claimed that the two had been in a relationship for six years, starting when Kim Sae Ron was just 15.

Later, Kim Sae Ron’s family alleged that Kim Soo Hyun had pressured the actress to repay 700 million won (US$481,626), a burden they say exacerbated her difficulties before her untimely death at age 25. They contended that this amount was provided by Kim Soo Hyun and his agency Gold Medalist to help address the repercussions of her 2022 DUI incident, which had a significant negative impact on her career.

Gold Medalist has refuted the claims of underage dating, asserting that the relationship occurred between the summer of 2019—after Kim Sae Ron reached the age of majority—and the autumn of 2020. Additionally, the agency said it has taken legal action, filing a complaint against Hoverlab and the individual alleging to be Kim Sae Ron’s aunt.

Still, the controversy has severely impacted Kim Soo Hyun, tarnishing his public image, resulting in the loss of major brand endorsements, and causing a sharp decrease in social media followers. Amid the scandal, he has also reportedly lost his status as South Korea’s highest-paid actor.

At 37, Kim Soo Hyun is one of South Korea’s most famous actors, internationally recognized for his roles in hit dramas 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.”

Kim Sae Ron was found deceased in her Seoul home on Feb. 16, and authorities have ruled out foul play. Her funeral took place on Feb. 19.

She first gained international attention as the youngest South Korean actress to attend the Cannes Film Festival with her role in the 2009 film “A Brand New Life” and was the youngest nominee for Best Actress at the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards. Her career suffered after her 2022 DUI incident, resulting in the loss of several acting roles and endorsement deals.