Actor Kim Soo Hyun’s Scandal: All The Fallout So Far
This article is part of our coverage of Kim Soo Hyun And Kim Sae Ron's Relationship. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.
Actor Kim Soo Hyun has been accused of beginning a romantic relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron when she was 15 and he was 27. Here is all the fallout Kim Soo Hyun is facing from the controversy so far.
1. Public Opinion
Prior to the scandal, Kim Soo Hyun was one of South Korea’s most beloved actors. He became a top Hallyu star in the early 2010s, largely due to the popular fantasy-romance K-Drama, My Love from the Star. His popularity continued to soar in the 2020s with hits like It’s Okay to Not Be Okay and Queen of Tears.
Following the claims made by Kim Sae Ron’s aunt, a close family friend, public opinion towards Kim Soo Hyun sharply shifted. As more details have emerged, the backlash has continued to grow.
2. Knock-Off
Kim Soo Hyun has been cast in the upcoming Disney+ series Knock Off, which is scheduled to air this year. Netizens have been calling for the show’s cancellation and Kim Soo Hyun’s removal from the cast. On March 21, Disney+ told media outlets, “After careful discussion, we have decided to put the release for ‘Knockoff’ on hold.” Industry insiders have suggested that Disney+ could potentially pursue a massive breach of contract lawsuit against the star.
3. Losing Brand Deals
As one of Korea’s most beloved and highest-paid stars, Kim Soo Hyun was also one of the most coveted models for brands to partner with. Since the controversy began, however, brands have begun distancing themselves from Kim Soo Hyun or outright cutting ties with him. The list includes PRADA, Dinto, Tous les Jours, and more.
4. Cancelled Events
On March 25, GOLD MEDALIST announced that Kim Soo Hyun would not be attending a fan meeting in Taiwan on March 30. The agency said the event was “postponed for safety reasons” while the event organizer, Taiwan 7-Eleven, stated that Kim Soo Hyun wouldn’t be attending because of a schedule change. 50 police officers were reportedly going to be deployed at the event, which would have been Kim Soo Hyun’s first public appearance since the scandal began.
Performing guest Kim Soo Hyun is unable to attend the event ‘Kim Soo Hyun fanmeeting,’ originally scheduled for March 30, 2025, due to a schedule change. OPENPOINT points will be fully refunded to participating members. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
.— @7eleventv/Instagram
According to industry insiders, Kim Soo Hyun could face a penalty of around ₩1.32 billion KRW (about $911,000 USD) for cancelling.
5. Potential Legal Consequences
Early on, Garo Sero Research Institute‘s Kim Se Ui (or Kim Say) claimed that “someone” would be reporting Kim Soo Hyun for allegedly having sex with Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor. At this time, it is unknown if a report has been filed.
And sometime tomorrow, you can expect a report to be filed against you for the charge of having sex with a minor. Dating an 8th grader?! We sure hope you didn’t actually have sex with her.
From what we’ve heard, someone is definitely filing the report. But don’t you dare coerce or threaten the bereaved. You know what will happen then. Right? A scary man from nowhere might chew you up.
Oh, and by the way, even Won Bin showed up to Kim Sae Ron’s funeral. So why didn’t you? Should’ve had some basic human decency, at the very least.
— Garo Sero Research Institute
On March 18, Kim Sae Ron’s family shared a statement with Hankook Kyungje, stating that they would be conducting digital forensics on photos to prove that Kim Soo Hyun dated Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor. GOLD MEDALIST has claimed that the two began dating after Kim Sae Ron became a legal adult.
We have decided to conduct digital forensics on photos that can prove Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were in a relationship when she was a minor.
— Kim Sae Ron’s family
Will there be legal consequences if it’s proven that Kim Soo Hyun started dating Kim Sae Ron when she was underage? According to attorney Lee Go Eun, the answer is no.
Since Kim Sae Ron was 15 at the time (in 2015), the older version of the law would apply. Under that law, criminal charges for statutory rape or misconduct required the minor to be under 13. The fact that they were in a relationship alone would not be sufficient for prosecution. Given that the previous law applies in this case, a 15-year-old would not fall under the definition of statutory rape.
Therefore, it would be difficult to establish criminal liability under the current legal framework unless there is concrete evidence of sexual acts. Simply being in a relationship with a minor is not enough to bring charges against Kim Soo Hyun under the old law.
— Lee Go Eun
