On March 31, 2025, South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun held a press conference in Seoul to address explosive allegations concerning his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron. The event, intended to clarify his stance, instead sparked a wave of online speculation, including viral claims that his speech was AI-generated. This article explores the background of the allegations, the evidence presented, the misunderstanding surrounding the AI rumors, and the broader impact on Kim Soo Hyun’s career.
Background of the Allegations
The controversy began after Kim Sae Ron’s death in February 2025, when her family accused Kim Soo Hyun of engaging in an underage relationship with her starting in 2015, when she was 15 years old. Kim Soo Hyun, then a well-established actor known for hits like My Love from the Star and Queen of Tears, faced immediate backlash, with brands like Prada terminating their partnerships with him. During the press conference, he categorically denied the claims, asserting that their relationship began in 2019, when Kim Sae Ron was an adult.
Forensic Linguistic Analysis
To bolster his defense, Kim Soo Hyun presented a forensic linguistic analysis conducted by Trubaum, a private investigative firm. The analysis examined KakaoTalk messages from 2016, 2018, and 2025, concluding with a 92% probability that certain messages from 2016 and 2018 were not authored by him. This finding was meant to disprove any communication with Kim Sae Ron during her underage years. However, Trubaum’s credibility has been questioned due to its status as a private entity and past controversies involving its CEO, Kim Mi Young, adding a layer of skepticism to the results.
The AI-Generated Speech Misunderstanding
Following the press conference, a peculiar rumor gained traction online: some fans and netizens claimed that Kim Soo Hyun’s speech contained “93% bot words,” suggesting it was crafted by artificial intelligence. This assertion appears to stem from a misinterpretation of the forensic analysis. The 92% probability figure from Trubaum’s report—related to the messages, not the speech—was likely confused with the spoken content of the press conference.
To date, no concrete evidence supports the idea that Kim Soo Hyun’s speech was AI-generated. The similarity between the 92% forensic statistic and the 93% cited in the AI allegations points to a public misunderstanding or exaggeration of the technical details presented. This confusion highlights how easily complex information can be distorted in the digital echo chamber.
Public Reactions and Career Fallout
The press conference and subsequent rumors elicited varied responses online. Critics were quick to pounce, with one X user sarcastically noting, “Kim Soo Hyun used AI for his press conference script. Lmaooo.” The professional repercussions were swift: endorsements from Samsung Electronics and Sulwhasoo were dropped, and reports surfaced that Netflix was considering an AI-driven remake of Queen of Tears. One X post observed, “The valuation of Kim Soo Hyun’s agency GoldMedalist plummeted by 60%,” reflecting the financial toll of the scandal.
Not all reactions were hostile, however. Some expressed confusion or neutrality, as seen in a French-language X post: “J’ai lu l’article de la conférence de press de kim soo Hyun je sais pas quoi dire vraiment !! Ça reste très flou” (I read the article about Kim Soo Hyun’s press conference, I don’t know what to say really!! It remains very vague). This ambivalence underscores the murky nature of the controversy and the difficulty in discerning fact from speculation.
Conclusion: A Case Study in Digital Misinformation
Kim Soo Hyun’s press conference saga is a stark illustration of how quickly rumors can spiral in the age of social media, particularly within the high-stakes world of celebrity scandals. The conflation of a forensic report with unfounded AI allegations reveals the pitfalls of misinterpreting technical data in public discourse. Meanwhile, the career fallout—including lost endorsements and the ironic prospect of AI remaking his work—demonstrates the tangible consequences of such controversies.
This case serves as a cautionary tale about the need for clarity and skepticism in consuming online narratives. As misinformation spreads faster than ever, distinguishing between evidence and exaggeration remains a critical challenge for both the public and those in the spotlight. For Kim Soo Hyun, the road to rebuilding his reputation may be long, but this episode underscores the broader implications of truth and perception in the digital era.
