South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has finally addressed the public for the first time since becoming embroiled in a months-long controversy involving his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. Holding back tears, the actor spoke candidly at a press conference, admitting to his silence and expressing regret over the pain caused by the scandal.
“Firstly, I am sorry. Because of me, I think so many people are suffering. And also I feel sorry that the late actor isn’t able to rest in peace,” Kim began, visibly emotional.
The controversy, which ignited in March, resurfaced following the circulation of an old photo posted by Kim Sae-ron that reignited public speculation about their past relationship. Kim admitted that they had dated for about a year, several years before his drama Queen of Tears aired. “I was together with her for about a year, about four years before the drama aired. But at that time, I denied our relationship. I fully understand that criticising my choice is justified.”
Kim acknowledged the heavy consequences of his long silence. “I consider myself a coward. I have always been too preoccupied with holding on to what I have. I couldn’t even trust the goodwill that came my way, always fearing loss, harm, and running away, denying everything.”
His reluctance to speak out, he said, was rooted in anxiety and concern over how his words would affect others involved in his projects and agency. “What would have happened if I had admitted to a yearlong relationship? What would happen to the actors, the staff who were working overnight, and the production team who had everything staked on that project?” he asked.
Despite the mounting pressure and rumors, including allegations that their relationship began when Kim Sae-ron was still a minor, Kim strongly denied the claims. “I never dated [Kim Sae-ron] when she was a minor,” he stressed. “Our relationship was like any other normal couple.”
He also firmly denied speculation linking him to the circumstances of Sae-ron’s death, including rumors that he or his agency pushed her into debt or emotional distress. “And it is not true that she had made this tragic choice because of me or my agency pressuring her over a debt.”
Kim revealed he had heard suggestions from others to remain passive and prepare for a quiet comeback later. However, he said that path didn’t feel right. “I would not have to be threatened every day about uploading certain photos tomorrow and revealing something. And there wouldn’t have been a situation where [Kim Sae-ron] was defamed by having her private life exposed through photos.”
As the scandal grew, the actor found himself at the center of public judgment and accusations, including claims from the late actress’s family. “But the family of the late actor, just because I am the ex-boyfriend of the late actor, is asserting that I pushed her to death,” Kim said, voice shaking. “They are demanding me to confess to something that I didn’t do. [They said] you played with her even from when she was a minor. You threatened her with money. So you are a murderer.”
He also addressed leaked KakaoTalk conversations that were used as evidence against him, claiming manipulation. “The agency showed that the chats made in 2016 and 2018 were from different individuals,” he explained. “These fake testimonials and evidence are piling up just because we dated.”
In a moment of raw honesty, Kim reflected on the emotional toll of the entire ordeal and the burden of being a public figure. “I always received overwhelming love, and that was often followed by a lot of misunderstandings as well. Sometimes rumors just circulate as if they are facts. I thought that was my burden to carry.”
Kim concluded by saying that although his choices may have protected his career at times, they came at a personal cost. “Whenever there was a situation and the choice for Kim Soo-hyun as a human being and Kim Soo-hyun as a celebrity came up, I think I always chose in favor of the celebrity.”
