"Both individuals found it virtually impossible to acknowledge their breakup from four years ago as celebrities." The dating rumors between actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron have been overturned. Initially, the dating rumors were deemed 'baseless,' but they were later corrected to 'past lovers.' However, both parties dated for about a year after they became adults, not during their minor years.

On the 14th, details regarding Kim Soo-hyun's reversal of the dating rumors with Kim Sae-ron were revealed through an exclusive OSEN report. When the dating rumors first emerged last year, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, denied them, stating, "baseless." However, in an official statement released that morning, it was confirmed that the two were indeed in a relationship from the summer of 2019, when Kim Sae-ron became an adult, until the fall of 2020.

In connection with this, a Gold Medalist representative told OSEN, "This official statement was urgently drafted and distributed, considering the seriousness of the matter, so we hope for your understanding regarding any inadequacies." They also explained, "Both Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron found it virtually impossible to acknowledge their breakup from four years ago as celebrities."

The dating rumors between Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun first emerged in March of last year. At that time, Kim Sae-ron posted a photo with Kim Soo-hyun on her personal social media. Although the photo was quickly deleted, it spread rapidly due to both being public figures. At that time, insiders who knew both parties stressed to OSEN that "the photo was either recently taken or not current."

However, in the photo, Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun appeared close enough to be perceived as a couple, exuding a friendly atmosphere. Kim Sae-ron was seen winking, and Kim Soo-hyun had his cheek against hers, a sight that spread widely through social media and various online communities. Despite this, Gold Medalist denied the situation, stating, "The two are absolutely not in a romantic or dating relationship." Now, a year later, they have acknowledged their past relationship.

By overturning the previously denied dating rumors, Kim Soo-hyun finds himself in a difficult position regarding his past with Kim Sae-ron. This is due to allegations from the YouTube channel "Garoosero Research Institute" alleging that Kim Soo-hyun dated Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor, specifically in 9th grade at age 15, for six years, raising 'grooming crime' suspicions. Additionally, the "Garoosero Research Institute" claimed, citing family members of Kim Sae-ron, that Gold Medalist pressured Kim Sae-ron over 700 million won in damages due to a drunk driving accident and criticized Kim Soo-hyun for being passive despite being her ex.

However, Gold Medalist countered by stating it was "defamation by false facts" and vowed to take the strongest legal action possible. Nevertheless, as the "Garoosero Research Institute" continued to express critical claims, they announced next week's official position. Yet, after Kim Soo-hyun learned of malicious comments suggesting that the death of the deceased was his fault, he distributed an emergency statement.

In the emergency statement released that day, Gold Medalist aimed to clarify two main points. First, they acknowledged that the past relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron was accurate, but clarified that the dating period was from the summer of 2019, after Kim Sae-ron became an adult, until the fall of 2020. Additionally, they noted that the photos shared by Kim Sae-ron and the skinship photos released by the "Garoosero Research Institute" were all taken in early to winter 2020.

Furthermore, regarding the 700 million won damage claim sent to Kim Sae-ron, Gold Medalist stressed that there was no intention of pressure or intimidation. They explained that the claim was part of the legal process to document Kim Sae-ron's penalty fees due to her drunk driving incident. In response to the controversy over the message alleged to have been sent by Kim Sae-ron to Kim Soo-hyun, the legal expert in charge provided a detailed explanation in return, and emphasized that they had never pressured Kim Sae-ron for payment.

Most importantly, Gold Medalist stressed that due to the series of criticisms and suspicions, Kim Soo-hyun was in an extremely unstable state, having received malicious comments suggesting the deceased's death was his fault. Therefore, OSEN inquired in detail about Kim Soo-hyun's current state, to which Gold Medalist cautiously replied, "We are making efforts for Kim Soo-hyun's absolute stability. We hope for your understanding regarding the difficulty of providing further details." They also added, "The statement released today (14th) was made urgently under pressing circumstances. We are currently discussing next week's anticipated additional statement."

[Photo] OSEN DB.

[OSEN = Reporter Yeon Hwi-sun]