A press conference held in Gangnam-gu has sparked intense public discussion following the release of an audio recording reportedly involving late actress Kim Sae Ron. The recording, presented by Garo Sero Institute and legal representatives of the actress' family, contains statements in which has the late star allegedly discusses a past relationship with actor Kim Soo Hyun, which allegedly began during her middle school years.
According to the recording, which was played out at the conference, Kim Sae Ron is heard speaking with an acquaintance about the timeline of the relationship, suggesting it started when she was a minor, in school and allegedly continued into her university years.
As reported by koreaboo, Kim Sae Ron says their sexual relationship started when she was in 8th grade. "The first time we did it was when I was in 8th grade, during the winter vacation," she says.
When the person replied expressing shock over the revelation, she says, "Even then… F***, thinking about it now, should I say that I was being taken advantage of?"
She goes on to say, "There aren’t many people that know that we dated when I was in middle school, but they all had the same reaction. They saw me as the crazy one, asked why I was letting him get away with it."
Attorney Bu Ji-seok from Buyoo Law Firm, the legal representative for the bereaved family of the late
Kim Sae-ron reportedly said at the press conference that they tried to put an end to the controversy and the various allegations by "presenting evidence that Ms. Kim Sae Ron dated Kim Soo Hyun when she was a minor."
Taking a swipe at the actor for filing a lawsuit against them, the attorney said, "all we got in return was a 12 billion won damages lawsuit against the bereaved family, a lawsuit, and a press conference by Kim Soo Hyun, who consistently lied about never dating when they were minors and said he would prove the truth through the investigative authorities."
This comes over a month after Kim Soo Hyun broke down while addressing the press for the first time since the allegations against him flooded social media. The actor, who wept during the conference, admitted to dating Sae Ron but insisted that she was not a minor at the time.
He is currently suing the family and the YouTube channel that first leaked the alleged photos and made the startling allegations against him that cost him millions in axed brand deals, modelling and endorsement contracts. Even his upcoming web series has reportedly been put on hold, owing to the controversy.
Kim Sae Ron passed away on February 16, 2025.