Actor Kim Soo-hyun is facing allegations of having been in a relationship with the deceased Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor, resulting in overseas fandom turning its back.

Recently, YouTube channel 'Garoseoro Research Institute' (hereafter referred to as Gaseyeon) claimed that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron had been dating for six years from 2015, when Kim Sae-ron was a minor, until 2021, and after the deceased caused a drunk driving accident in 2022 and faced hardship due to a halt in activities, they pressured the family to repay the 700 million won borrowed for accident resolution.

Kim Soo-hyun's side noted, "It's clearly false information," and declared the strongest level of legal response; however, as revelations surfaced daily along with photos of the two together, public opinion rapidly deteriorated.

In response, the advertising industry was the first to react. Kim Soo-hyun was active as a model for over ten brands, and some brands terminated contracts with him, while aesthetic brands, cosmetic brands, dining brands, and health supplement brands removed Kim Soo-hyun's photos from their official channels and switched advertising videos to private.

Overseas, where grooming crimes against minors are met with heightened sensitivity, negative reactions to Kim Soo-hyun's controversy have intensified.

Recently, videos showing Kim Soo-hyun's advertising photos being removed overseas and fans discarding Kim Soo-hyun's collected photos have been posted on online communities and social media.

In Asian regions like China, Thailand, and Vietnam, where Kim Soo-hyun enjoyed immense popularity, scenes of his advertising posters being taken down and advertising photos removed from buildings, as well as signs of Kim Soo-hyun being discarded or thrown away, were captured.

Additionally, in China, several fan cafes have been closed, and among the overseas fandom, videos of fans tearing up Kim Soo-hyun's merchandise have been relayed.

Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun's agency Gold Medalist stated, "Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron dated from the summer of 2019, after Kim Sae-ron became an adult, until the fall of 2020." Regarding the 700 million won related to notice of liability, they explained, "If we were to arbitrarily bear the penalty that Kim Sae-ron should bear, it could result in criminal liability for business embezzlement for the company executives who made that decision, and there was concern that the cost could not be recognized as a company expense," and "It was necessary to confirm the efforts to secure our claims against Kim Sae-ron."

However, the family of the deceased Kim Sae-ron stated, "The false statement further distressed the surviving family and we hope for a sincere apology even now," and noted that after Gold Medalist sent an initial notice, they sent a second notice. They also mentioned they are considering legal action against Kim Soo-hyun's side in the future.

[Photo] OSEN DB

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