A recent YouTube video has sparked fresh controversy by alleging that actor Kim Soo Hyun secretly dated the late Kim Sae-ron when she was underage. According to the channel Garosero Research Institute, the relationship had been kept under wraps due to the significant age difference between the two stars.
The controversy intensified after news emerged that Kim Sae-ron, who tragically died by suicide on February 16, had been involved in this alleged relationship. The video claims that Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae-ron maintained a secret romance for several years—a rumor that has circulated for some time but never been officially confirmed.
One of the most striking pieces of evidence cited by the channel is a handwritten love letter. Sae-ron’s aunt reportedly handed over the letter, which she claims was written by Kim Soo Hyun when Sae-ron was just 17 and he was 30. The letter, allegedly penned on June 9, 2018, during the actor’s military service, reveals a more personal side of the relationship. In a translated excerpt, Kim Soo Hyun writes:
“Today, the weather was so unpredictable that I felt like I was being tossed around in all directions this wonderful Saturday. What a great day for writing something and thinking about you, Saero-Nero.”
The letter goes on to express his desire to share everything beautiful and meaningful with her—even if it meant not seeing her face—as well as his heartfelt longing with lines such as “I miss you” and “Please take good care of me.”
Further fueling the backlash are claims that Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae-ron were romantically linked for as long as six years. Old military service photos have reportedly surfaced showing a tender moment between the two, including a snapshot where Kim Soo Hyun is seen kissing Sae-ron. A postcard dated January 1, 2019, bearing the message “I love you, Sae Ron,” has also been circulated as part of the evidence.
Since the allegations broke, Kim Soo Hyun has come under intense public scrutiny, with calls for boycotts and the potential loss of work and brand deals looming over him. Meanwhile, details surrounding Kim Sae-ron’s life continue to cast a shadow over the scandal. Sae-ron, who was only 24 at the time of her death, had reportedly faced her own controversies. In 2022, she was involved in a DUI incident where she crashed into several objects on the road. Despite issuing an apology, she faced severe criticism from the public.
(Also Read: Kim Soo Hyun boycott calls mount amid underage Kim Sae Ron dating allegations: New K-drama, brands under fire)
As the fallout from these allegations grows, both fans and critics are closely monitoring any new developments. While the claims remain unverified, the revelations have reignited debates about celebrity relationships, privacy, and the responsibilities of public figures.
