The scandal involving South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun and the late actress Kim Sae-ron has intensified with rumors of shamanic rituals emerging in recent weeks. Allegations suggest Kim Sae-ron underwent a traditional Korean naerimgut ritual to revive her career post-DUI, but her family has firmly denied these claims.
A naerimgut is a shamanic rite rooted in Korean tradition, often performed to initiate shamans or seek spiritual aid for personal struggles. Speculation links Kim Sae-ron’s alleged ritual to her 2022 DUI, which derailed her acting career and public image.
A close associate of Kim Sae-ron’s family has urgently refuted these allegations. They emphatically declared the rumors “absolutely not true,” noting the alleged shaman is merely a casual acquaintance.
The rumors originated with YouTuber Lee Jin Ho, a key figure in the scandal’s coverage. He claimed Kim Sae-ron participated in a naerimgut last September, supposedly arranged by an Apgujeong pub owner who has since denied involvement.
The pub owner retorted, “If I had arranged Kim Sae-ron’s shamanic ritual, I’d close my business and disappear.” This sharp denial highlights the speculative nature of the claims, urging caution in accepting them as fact.
The shamanic rumors intertwine with the broader dating scandal involving Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo Hyun. Allegations of a six-year relationship starting in 2015—when Kim Sae-ron was 15—surfaced on March 10, 2025, rocking the entertainment industry.
Kim Soo Hyun has denied these claims, insisting any relationship occurred between 2019 and 2020, when both were adults. His agency, GOLDMEDALIST, labeled the 2015 timeline baseless and is pursuing legal action against false reports.
The fallout has been severe for Kim Soo Hyun. Luxury brands like Prada have dropped him, and his appearances on shows like “Good Day” have been canceled or postponed amid public backlash.
GOLDMEDALIST also faces a stock manipulation probe, escalating scrutiny on Kim Soo Hyun and his management. This convergence of issues has transformed a personal scandal into a sprawling public crisis.
The shamanic ritual rumors remain a speculative tangent to the dating allegations. Lacking evidence and met with firm denials from Kim Sae-ron’s camp, they persist as unverified gossip rather than truth.
Reputable outlets like India Times have reported the family’s denial of the ritual rumors.
For deeper analysis, dmnews.com offers insight in articles like “Kim Soo-hyun’s Media Trial: A Singaporean-Australian View on Justice vs. Judgment”. It critiques the trial-by-media phenomenon driving much of the coverage.
Another dmnews.com piece, “The Kim Soo-hyun Scandal: A Tragedy of Grief and Guesswork, Not Guilt”, calls for prioritizing evidence over conjecture. It underscores the risks of speculation overshadowing facts.
The naerimgut rumors lack the substantiation to rival the dating scandal’s core issues. Kim Sae-ron’s DUI history fuels such gossip, but plausibility does not equal proof.
Korean shamanism often captivates public imagination during celebrity crises. Yet, without confirmation, tying Kim Sae-ron to a naerimgut is a narrative leap, not a reality.
The story’s urgency lies in the unresolved dating scandal, not the ritual rumors. As investigations proceed, clarity on Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae-ron’s relationship remains elusive.
The shamanic angle, amplified by social media and figures like Lee Jin Ho, serves as a distraction. It captivates but fails to shift focus from the scandal’s tangible claims.
Kim Soo Hyun’s career teeters as endorsements vanish and his agency navigates legal and financial turmoil. These ripple effects show how swiftly a scandal can spiral, pulling in unrelated threads.
Kim Sae-ron’s legacy faces renewed scrutiny, her post-DUI redemption overshadowed by this controversy. The ritual rumors, denied or not, tie her to a narrative of desperation.
Facts—Kim Soo Hyun’s denials, the family’s rejection of naerimgut claims—must guide this saga’s understanding. Compelling speculation risks clouding an already complex story.
The coming weeks will likely bring more developments as authorities probe the allegations. For now, the shamanic rumors remain unverified whispers, lacking evidence to elevate them.
The focus must return to what’s provable: the dating scandal’s timeline and its fallout. The naerimgut tale, refuted by Kim Sae-ron’s associates, should not derail that pursuit.
This scandal, weaving romance, reputation, and ritual, demands a rigorous lens to separate fact from fiction. Only then can the truth about Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae-ron emerge clearly.
