The ongoing controversy surrounding South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun and the late actress Kim Sae Ron has taken another emotional turn. On March 13, Kim Sae Ron’s mother publicly addressed the scandal, pleading for respect and justice for her daughter, whose memory she says has been tainted by misinformation and gossip.
Speaking through Gaerosaro Research Institute—the platform that initially broke the news of Kim Soo Hyun and Sae Ron’s alleged relationship—her mother explained the family’s reasons for coming forward now. “We are only trying to restore our lost daughter’s image,” she shared in a heartfelt statement. “I am not trying to gain anything or cause conflict. I simply hope that Sae Ron’s life will be remembered and treasured as that of an acknowledged actress. I don’t want her to become someone’s gossip.”
Sae Ron tragically passed away in February 2025, following years of public backlash and career setbacks after her 2021 DUI incident. Her mother expressed regret over the negative narratives that had come to define her daughter’s legacy. “The reason I am speaking about a child who has already left me is because I want to restore her honor, which was destroyed in a split second by articles full of lies,” she added.
The family’s statement comes after Sae Ron’s aunt shared multiple photographs purportedly showing Kim Soo Hyun and Sae Ron together, alleging the two were romantically involved when Sae Ron was just 15 years old. The family also released what they claim are personal letters and postcards sent by Kim Soo Hyun during his military service and trips abroad, including messages allegedly written while he was intoxicated.
Adding to the controversy, Dispatch recently published an in-depth investigation alleging that Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, pressured Sae Ron to shoulder financial damages related to her DUI case. The report also claimed that Kim Soo Hyun and Sae Ron had been in a long-term relationship, though they never made it public.
As the scandal unfolds, Kim Soo Hyun—once one of the highest-paid and most in-demand actors in South Korea—is beginning to face professional consequences. Several of his projects have reportedly been put on hold. On March 13, Maeil Kyungjae reported that Soo Hyun’s scheduled appearance on BIGBANG member G-Dragon’s highly anticipated variety show Good Day has been canceled. It remains unclear whether Soo Hyun will be edited out of previously filmed content or removed entirely from the show’s “88 liners” cast.
For now, Kim Sae Ron’s family is focusing on restoring her reputation. As her mother poignantly stated, “Please help me restore her name.”