In the ever-churning world of celebrity gossip, few stories have captivated and divided the public quite like the ongoing saga surrounding South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun. The latest twist comes from a claim by Allkpop, a popular K-pop news site, alleging that Kim Soo-hyun maintained relationships with two top female idols from the second generation—described as “rivals” to the late actress Kim Sae Ron—while he was dating her. This sensational assertion, if true, would undoubtedly add another layer of complexity to an already fraught narrative. But as with much of the reporting on this scandal, the claim raises more questions than it answers, serving as a stark reminder of the perils of shoddy journalism and the rush to judgment in the court of public opinion.
The Allkpop article, published on March 26, 2025, cites an audio recording released by HOVERLAB, a YouTube channel already embroiled in legal disputes for distributing private photos of Kim Sae Ron. According to the recording, a close friend of Kim Sae Ron alleges that Kim Soo-hyun not only dated her while she was a minor but also cheated on her with “several mistresses,” including two prominent female idols. These idols, the article notes, are still active in the industry and were once rivals, with their group names consisting of four syllables in Korean. One of them, it claims, was previously linked to Kim Soo-hyun in dating rumors. The vagueness—nameless idols, unverified audio, reliance on a controversial source—should instantly raise red flags. Yet, the story has gained traction, further fueling the media frenzy that has surrounded Kim Soo-hyun since the scandal first broke.
This latest claim is emblematic of a broader issue in modern journalism: the prioritization of clicks over credibility. In the race to break the next big story, outlets often sacrifice rigor for speed, publishing unverified or thinly sourced allegations that can irreparably damage reputations. The Kim Soo-hyun case is a textbook example of media-driven judgment. Since the initial allegations surfaced—stemming from Kim Sae Ron’s family and amplified by YouTube channels like HOVERLAB—the media has largely treated these claims as fact, despite a glaring lack of concrete evidence. Brands like Prada severed ties, fan events were canceled, and Kim Soo-hyun’s career was put on hold, all before any legal or forensic proof was presented. As explored in a compelling piece by DMNews, titled “The Kim Soo-hyun scandal proves we must stop convicting people in the court of public opinion before evidence emerges”, the media’s role in this scandal has been less about uncovering truth and more about stoking outrage.
The Allkpop article fits neatly into this pattern. It relies on a single, dubious source—HOVERLAB, a channel already under legal scrutiny for its role in distributing private images of Kim Sae Ron. Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has filed complaints against HOVERLAB for violating South Korea’s Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, casting further doubt on the channel’s credibility. Yet, Allkpop presents the audio recording as a bombshell revelation, without the necessary caveats or context. The article’s failure to verify the identities of the alleged idols or provide any corroborating evidence speaks to a broader trend in entertainment journalism, where speculation is often dressed up as fact.
This is not to say that the claims should be dismissed outright. If evidence emerges proving that Kim Soo-hyun engaged in inappropriate relationships, he should face the consequences. But the operative word here is if. Accusations are not convictions, and the media’s eagerness to blur that line is what makes this case so troubling. The public, too, bears responsibility. We are quick to divide the world into neat categories of “good” and “evil,” casting Kim Soo-hyun as the villain in a story that is far from fully told. This binary thinking fuels the very outrage the media exploits, creating a vicious cycle of speculation and condemnation.
Consider the human cost. Kim Soo-hyun, once celebrated for his talent and charm, now faces public vilification, his every move dissected under the harsh glare of public scrutiny. His agency has pushed back, presenting metadata from photos suggesting any relationship with Kim Sae Ron began when she was an adult. But these details are often buried beneath the sensational headlines. Meanwhile, Kim Sae Ron’s family, grieving her tragic death, has been thrust into a public battle, their pain commodified for clicks. And then there are the unnamed idols, whose reputations could be tarnished by mere association with this unverified claim.
The Allkpop article also teases a press conference scheduled for March 27, 2025, where Kim Sae Ron’s family plans to present forensic evidence. This is a crucial detail, yet it’s buried beneath layers of speculation. If the family has evidence, it should be scrutinized in a court of law, not in the court of public opinion. But the media’s breathless coverage risks ensuring that by the time any evidence is presented, the narrative may already be set in stone.
This is the tragedy of trial by media: it convicts before the facts are in, leaving little room for redemption or truth. The Kim Soo-hyun scandal is not just a story about a celebrity; it’s a case study in how shoddy journalism can distort reality, manipulate public perception, and destroy lives. We must demand better—from the media, and from ourselves. Critical thinking, patience, and a commitment to evidence-based reporting are the only antidotes to this toxic cycle. Until then, the court of public opinion will continue to claim its victims, one headline at a time.
