Actor Kim Soo-hyun and the family of the late Kim Sae-ron have once again issued statements, creating a conflict. Kim Soo-hyun's side criticized the dissemination of private information by Gaseyeon, expressing a desire to meet Kim Sae-ron's mother in person, while Kim Sae-ron's side stated.

"Please contact Kim Sae-ron's mother at the office."

Previously, the YouTube channel 'Gaseyeon' revealed that Kim Soo-hyun had been dating the minor Kim Sae-ron, causing an uproar. The claims included accusations that they had been in a romantic relationship for six years since Kim Sae-ron's 3rd year of middle school, and that Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, pressured Kim Sae-ron with a notice regarding a compensation of 700 million won due to damages from driving under the influence. Additionally, there were strong criticisms that Kim Soo-hyun had condoned this behavior.

Kim Sae-ron's mother, along with her aunt, who was close to her during her lifetime, stated, "Kim Soo-hyun has labeled my daughter as a liar. We want the reputation of our deceased daughter restored."

In this regard, Kim Soo-hyun's side acknowledged that he had dated Kim Sae-ron in the past but argued that they only dated from the summer of 2019, when Kim Sae-ron became an adult, until the fall of 2020. They contended that the notice was merely a procedural step regarding the handling of damages related to Kim Sae-ron's driving under the influence controversy, and denied having pressed for repayment. Furthermore, Gold Medalist announced that they would take the strongest legal action against the claims made by Gaseyeon, calling them "defamation based on false facts."

On the afternoon of the 15th, Gold Medalist, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, criticized the photos of Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron reported by Gaseyeon the previous day, stating, "This photo was taken on December 14, 2019. There is no reason for photos of Kim Soo-hyun and the deceased's private lives to be indiscriminately disclosed. We urge you to stop the act of disseminating personal information."

They added, "On this day, we also confirmed the stance of Kim Sae-ron's mother, which was revealed during the broadcast. After losing Kim Sae-ron, her mother has been experiencing indescribable pain, and we believe that no words can truly comfort her. We express our deep sadness and regret over the suffering that the deceased had to endure while also agreeing with the points made by her mother regarding several reporting behaviors about the deceased. Kim Soo-hyun has also suffered from the damage caused by Gaseyeon's report, as mentioned in our recent statement."

Specifically, Kim Soo-hyun's side stated, "However, there seem to be differences in opinion regarding some of the claims made by her mother. We believe there are aspects she may not yet be aware of. We think that publicly discussing this matter is not appropriate for either the mother or the deceased, who both sought any means to restore her dignity. We hope to meet with the mother in person to provide a sufficient explanation. We would appreciate it if you could contact Gold Medalist's office at any time."

"Kim Soo-hyun should acknowledge the relationship and publicly apologize."

In contrast, the family of the late Kim Sae-ron repeatedly demanded a public apology from Kim Soo-hyun.

On the 15th, the family made their demands known through the YouTube channel Gaseyeon, stating, "First, we want Kim Soo-hyun to acknowledge his relationship with Kim Sae-ron since her minor years and issue an official apology. Second, we request an official apology regarding the media play stating that Gold Medalist has not been in a relationship for the past three years, and just three days ago, stating he has never dated her. Third, we ask for acknowledgment of Kim Sae-ron's contributions as a founding member of the company and an apology regarding that matter."

They continued, "Fourth, we want an acknowledgment and official apology regarding the notice sent demanding repayment of 700 million won. Fifth, not mentioning Kim Soo-hyun in the statement was to focus on warnings against Jin-ho Lee and cyber threats; the bereaved family's only wish is for an official apology from Kim Soo-hyun and his agency."

In response to Kim Soo-hyun's counterarguments, the family has been retaliating through Gaseyeon. During this process, the personal lives of both Kim Soo-hyun and the deceased were revealed to the public. The family expressed, "Sixth, to prove the false information about Jin-ho Lee, we had no choice but to confirm that Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun had dated, which is why we had to publicly disclose Kim Soo-hyun's photo. On that day, a photo of Kim Soo-hyun doing the dishes at the deceased's house was also released."

Meanwhile, there is a growing sentiment in the advertising industry to "sever ties" with Kim Soo-hyun. Several brands with which Kim Soo-hyun had advertising contracts have been affected. Brands such as Prada and Dinto have cut ties with Kim Soo-hyun, while Eider and Shaboldae have made all photos related to Kim Soo-hyun private on their official social media accounts on the 12th.

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