Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Sae-ron’s intimate chats released by actress’ family lawyer

Kim Soo-hyun (left) and Kim Sae-ron. Images: GoldMedalist

Representatives for the family of late South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron have unveiled private text messages between her and K-drama star Kim Soo-hyun as proof of a romantic relationship between the two when she was 15.

The 37-year-old “Queen of Tears” (2024) leading man has been mired in controversy ever since South Korean YouTube channel Hoverlab accused him of dating Sae-ron when she was underage. Sae-ron died at the age of 24 in February, in what has been ruled as suicide.

In the latest twist, Mr. Bu Ji-seok, a lawyer representing Sae-ron’s family, and Hoverlab’s head, YouTuber Kim Se-ui, held a press conference in Seoul on Thursday, March 27. They released private text threads allegedly between the two stars on KakaoTalk. The exchanges were said to have taken place in June 2016, a month prior to Sae-ron’s 16th birthday. Soo-hyun was 28 at the time.

Online K-entertainment news outlet Soompi translated the texts into English. In one exchange, Sae-ron sent over an emoticon of a kiss, and Kim Soo-hyun replied: “Do it for real later.”

In another exchange, Soo-hyun asked her: “When can I go to sleep holding you? I think I would be able to sleep really well then.”

The pair then bantered over how many years it would be before they could go to sleep together. And Sae-ron replied: “I’ll do it when I want to.”

According to South Korean news outlet Korea Joong Ang Daily, Mr. Bu said these messages are proof that Soo-hyun was either in a sexual relationship with Sae-ron or sexually grooming her. He added that no matter what the situation was, Soo-hyun should apologize to the late actress’ family.

Soo-hyun had previously denied being in a romantic relationship with Sae-ron. But after Hoverlab released pictures of the two behaving intimately, he admitted that he dated the actress from 2019 to 2020, after she was legally an adult. Her family and Hoverlab maintain that they dated from 2015 to 2021.

Supposed private messages between Sae-ron and a close friend over Instagram in April 2024 were also released at the press conference. They appear to support the claim that Soo-hyun and Sae-ron dated for six years.

Sae-ron referred to Soo-hyun as her “first love” and her friend replied: “Since (the two of you) dated for six years, you can’t help but feel mixed feelings.”

Hoverlab said it would stop releasing videos about Soo-hyun and exposing more private exchanges and pictures of him with Sae-ron once he apologizes to her family.

Asked by reporters what sort of apology the family is looking for, Mr Bu replied: “An apology works only if the person truly asks for forgiveness and the recipient can truly feel that the person is sorry.”

The case has stirred much controversy in South Korea and beyond, with both Sae-ron’s family and Soo-hyun receiving brickbats.

Netizens question the intentions of Sae-ron’s family speaking out only after her death and why they did not prevent her from dating an older man. Meanwhile, Soo-hyun has lost multiple brand deals in the wake of the scandal. The release of his upcoming drama, Disney+’s “Knock-Off,” has been postponed.

Mr Bu said: “We would also like to ask people to stop the excessive criticism not only towards the family, but also towards Kim Soo-hyun.”