South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun is vehemently denying allegations he groomed and then dated late actress Kim Sae-ron, who died in February of an apparent suicide.
During a March 31 press conference in Seoul, South Korea, the 37-year-old tearfully addressed allegations from Kim Sae-ron’s family that he dated her when she was a minor at 15 years old.
“I cannot take responsibility for something I did not do. For the people who still believe in me, I want to set the record straight,” he said.
“I never dated her when she was a minor. Except for the fact that both of us were actors, our relationship was just like that of any other ordinary couple.”
Another claim made by the family is that Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, pressured the actress to repay a debt she owed prior to her death.
Authorities found no sign of foul play and ultimately ruled her death a suicide.
Kim Soo-hyun’s remarks come after photos and videos of the two began circulating on social media earlier this month, allegedly documenting a six-year relationship stemming from 2016, that began when she was 15 and the actor was 27.
Last week, the family of Kim Sae-ron took aim at the actor publicly, with their attorney sharing a history of text messages between the couple allegedly sent in 2016.
However, Kim Soo-hyun insists the couple dated only between 2019 and 2020, when she was an adult.
“Her family is accusing me of driving her to her death just because I was her ex-boyfriend. They are pressuring me to confess to something I did not do,” he added during the presser.
In 2022, Kim Sae-ron, who was also managed by Gold Medalist at the time, received a $14,000 fine for a drunk-driving incident.
Her family alleges the agency covered her legal fees but later pursued legal action for repayment.
When the actress allegedly asked for more time to come up with the money, her family claims the request was denied.
In response, Kim Soo-hyun denied those claims, noting she didn’t make “the tragic choice because of me or my agency pressuring her over a debt.”
He also filed a criminal complaint against Kim Sae-ron’s family, which was accepted by the Seoul Central District Court on March 31.
“Many people are suffering because of me. I also feel sorry that the late actress [Kim Sae-ron] isn’t able to rest in peace,” he continued.
Kim Soo-hyun is considered an A-lister in South Korea and one of the nation’s highest-paid actors in film and television.
He starred in a number of hit global dramas, including “The Moon Embracing the Sun,” “My Love From Another Star,” “Dream High,” “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” and most recently “Queen of Tears” on Netflix.
