Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has confirmed that he was in a relationship with the late Kim Sae Ron. They clarified that the two dated from summer 2019 to fall 2020, after she turned an adult. They also shared that Kim Soo Hyun’s mental health has been affected by the ongoing rumours, especially following accusations made by the Garo Sero Institute on YouTube linking the actor to Sae Ron’s death. It has been alleged that Soo Hyun started dating Sae Ron when she was still a minor.
Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron’s dating timeline
The talent agency addressed claims made by the Institute that accused the Queen of Tears star of dating the Bloodhounds actor while she was underage. In a statement shared with Sports Chosun, Gold Medalist clarified the timeline, stating, “Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron dated after she became an adult. It is completely untrue that they were in a relationship when she was a minor.” They explained that the photos shared by Garo Sero were taken during their relationship in “2019 and 2020.” One particular photo, which caused controversy, was taken in the winter of 2020, not in 2016 as alleged.
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They also cited metadata from another photo shared by Garo Sero Institute, clarifying it was captured on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2019. “Their claims that these images date back to 2016 are baseless. The two weren’t dating at that time,” the agency wrote. “The clothes Kim Sae Ron was wearing at the time were released in June 2019 by the brand, so Garo Sero Institute’s claim that the photo was taken in 2016 when Kim Sae Ron was a minor is impossible.”
Gold Medalist confirms Kim Saeron and Kim Soohyun dated from summer 2019 to autumn 2020:
– “Kim Soohyun and Kim Saeron dated from the summer of 2019 to the autumn of 2020, after Kim Saeron became an adult. It is not true that Kim Soohyun dated Kim Saeron when she was a minor.… pic.twitter.com/XCxCKDEM2B
— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) March 14, 2025
Clarifying the “military letter” controversy
Gold Medalist also addressed the speculation surrounding a letter Kim Soo Hyun sent to Kim Sae Ron during his military service. They explained it was simply a casual letter exchanged between close friends. The phrase “I miss you,” they added, was a common expression commonly used among friends in the military.
However, according to them, the research institute reportedly twisted the context, claiming the letter suggested a romantic relationship dating back to 2015. The agency dismissed this as misleading, adding that Kim Sae Ron’s public nickname “Saero Nero” was wrongly framed as a private term exclusive to their relationship. “They are distorting reality and creating rumours based on a few photos and information from an informant whose identity cannot even be confirmed.”
Kim Soo Hyun’s mental health under strain
The agency cited serious concern over Kim Soo Hyun’s current mental state, revealing he is under extreme stress following the reports. They shared that the actor’s psychological health took a hit after the YouTube channel suggested he was somehow linked to Kim Sae Ron’s death.
“People with cameras have been lurking around the company premises, adding to the stress,” the agency noted. They further explained that the decision to release the statement earlier than planned was due to these circumstances. “Even if there are still loose ends, protecting Kim Soo Hyun’s stability comes first.”
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The agency expressed regret that the personal lives of both Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were being dragged into the public eye posthumously. “We understand public figures are subject to scrutiny, but the past relationship between two consenting adults is now being distorted into a false narrative,” they said.
