Kim Soo-hyun's side ultimately launched a counterattack regarding the exposure photo release. In a confusing situation, the late Kim Sae-ron's mother sent a tearful letter to her daughter in heaven.
Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, stated on the 20th through its legal representative that "Kim Soo-hyun, the actor, has filed a complaint against Kim Se-yi, the operator of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute (hereinafter 'Gaseyeon'), which posted a photo of him without his pants during a live broadcast on his own YouTube channel, and against other unidentified individuals who claimed to be the family members of the late Kim Sae-ron and provided this photo to him, leading Kim Se-yi to post it for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (distribution of images taken using cameras)."
A source noted that "the photo was taken during the period when Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron, who was an adult, were in a relationship and is a photograph that could incite sexual shame in Kim Soo-hyun, and it should not be made public, nor is there any reason for it to be released," adding that "the act of distributing or publicly displaying images of another's body that can incite sexual desire or shame against the subject’s will is a serious crime, and we hope that such incidents do not happen again."
On the 15th, 'Gaseyeon' stated, "The family of Kim Sae-ron cannot accept this at all," and revealed exposure photos of Kim Soo-hyun that they received from the family. The photos included one of a man washing dishes in what appears to be the home of the late Kim Sae-ron. 'Gaseyeon' also emphasized that the photos, covering some parts of the body, depict Kim Soo-hyun without his pants.
However, as a result of making personal exposure photos public, both the family and 'Gaseyeon' faced backlash. In response, Gold Medalist stated that "while mourning the sudden passing of our agency's actor, the late Kim Sae-ron, we had been refraining from legal actions against her family," but noted, "Should the family of the late Kim Sae-ron and Gaseyeon continue to spread false information in the future, Gold Medalist will have no choice but to take comprehensive legal actions to protect the agency and the actor's honor."
In this situation, Kim Sae-ron's mother once again revealed a handwritten letter to her daughter through 'Gaseyeon.' The late Kim Sae-ron's mother expressed, "What does money matter? If only I could have been by your side a little longer... I couldn't be there for you in your last moments as you worked. Were you scared?,” and added, “All I wanted was an apology for making me a liar and that this should never happen again. All I received were words that deny my existence and demands for me to explain myself," and "I'm sorry, Ron. I will let you go quietly now."
On the other hand, Kim Sae-ron was found collapsed at her home on Feb. 16. A friend discovered her and reported it, but she ended her short life at the age of 25. There were no signs of foul play or a suicide note found. Kim Sae-ron, during her life, had a challenging 25 years filled with controversies, including drunk driving.
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