South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has denied resurfaced allegations linking him romantically to the late actor Kim Sae-ron, following a string of controversial claims circulated by far-right YouTube channel HoverLab Inc. (also known as Garosero Yeonguso).
The controversy erupted earlier this week when HoverLab shared a video accusing the Queen of Tears star of having engaged in a secret relationship with Kim Sae-ron that allegedly began when she was 15 and he was 27.
According to The Korea Herald, the video featured what the channel described as testimony from the late actor’s family, as well as a photo purportedly showing Soo-hyun kissing Sae-ron on the cheek.
Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, swiftly responded to the claims with a statement on Monday, calling the allegations “clearly false and baseless.”
The company also vowed to pursue the “strongest possible legal actions” against HoverLab for spreading misinformation and damaging both the actor’s reputation and the dignity of the deceased.
Social media platforms were flooded with backlash after the video’s release, with users expressing concern over the age disparity and the nature of the alleged relationship. However, Gold Medalist reiterated on Wednesday that all claims were categorically untrue.
The YouTube channel added fuel to the fire by releasing a follow-up video on Tuesday, which introduced additional claims regarding financial dealings between Soo-hyun and Sae-ron. According to the channel, the late actor had borrowed money to repay compensation for her 2022 drunk driving incident — an amount allegedly covered initially by Gold Medalist, which was her agency at the time, and later pursued through legal means.
HoverLab also shared what it claimed was a desperate text message from Sae-ron to Soo-hyun, pleading for more time to repay her debt. The channel suggested the message went unanswered. Additionally, it teased the release of further allegations in upcoming broadcasts.
Gold Medalist, which represented Sae-ron from 2019 to 2022, dismissed these new claims and expressed regret over the late actor’s passing. “We mourn the loss of Kim Sae-ron. However, we cannot remain silent as speculative and sensationalist content continues to harm both our artist and the honour of the deceased,” the agency stated.
The video also reignited attention on a previously deleted social media post from March 2024, when Sae-ron uploaded a photo with Soo-hyun, fuelling dating rumours at the time. The actor’s agency had then dismissed the speculation as “entirely without factual basis.”
HoverLab has previously been penalised for disseminating false information.
Sae-ron, who began her career as a child actor with critically acclaimed roles in A Brand New Life (2009), The Man From Nowhere (2010), and A Girl at My Door (2014), had largely withdrawn from the public eye following her drunk driving incident in 2022.
The accident led to widespread backlash and the loss of multiple acting roles. She was 24 when she passed away last month, with reports indicating she had been attempting to relaunch her career through smaller projects and stage work.
In its latest statement, Gold Medalist condemned HoverLab’s actions as “driven solely by self-interest,” urging the public not to give credence to “malicious speculation.”
The agency also assured it intends to take legal action to protect Soo-hyun’s reputation and called for respect toward the late actor.