South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, GOLDMEDALIST, has launched a robust legal campaign to combat online harassment and defamation targeting the star. This follows a heated controversy involving allegations of an underage relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron, which Kim strongly denies.
On April 14, GOLDMEDALIST filed a formal complaint with South Korean authorities, citing defamation and insult under the Information and Communications Network Act and the Criminal Act. The agency is addressing widespread “malicious posts, comments, and false information” on platforms like X and YouTube.
The controversy began after Kim Sae-ron’s death on February 16, 2025, which coincided with Kim Soo Hyun’s birthday. Her family alleged that Kim dated her starting in 2015 when she was 15, a claim that gained traction through the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute.
At a press conference on March 31, Kim Soo Hyun denied the accusations, stating that any relationship with Sae-ron occurred between 2019 and 2020 when she was 19-20. He presented forensic evidence suggesting that alleged 2016 texts were fabricated, refuting the underage dating claims.
Public response has been intense, with a petition called the “Kim Soo Hyun Prevention Act” gaining over 50,000 signatures by April 15. It seeks to raise South Korea’s statutory rape age from 16 to 19, reflecting concerns sparked by the scandal.
Unverified rumors have complicated the narrative, including speculation that Kim Sae-ron dated K-pop idol WOODZ in the early 2020s, which his agency could not confirm due to his military service. Another claim about her undergoing a shamanic ritual was denied by a family associate and remains unsubstantiated.
The scandal has severely impacted Kim’s career, with brands like Prada ending partnerships and his scenes cut from the variety show Good Day. His Disney+ drama Knock Off has been postponed, with no new release date announced.
Public opinion is sharply divided, with some fans rallying under #WeStandwithKimSooHyun, while others criticize him and question his recent Baeksang Arts Award win for Queen of Tears. The award’s legitimacy has become a point of contention amid the ongoing controversy.
GOLDMEDALIST’s legal efforts extend internationally, targeting defamatory content on overseas platforms to curb the scandal’s global spread. The agency remains steadfast, promising to protect Kim’s rights and reputation against what it calls “cyber-wreckers” spreading falsehoods.
