South Korean star Kim Soo-hyun breaks down while denying allegations related to Kim Sae-ron; says the deceased made tragic choice because...

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun on Monday denied allegations that he dated actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage. Breaking down in tears, he stated that he could not "admit what is not true."

Brands including Prada have severed ties with Kim amid the controversy surrounding his relationship with Kim Sae-ron, who was found dead in February in a suspected suicide at the age of 24.

The 37-year-old actor admitted that he had dated Kim Sae-ron five years ago for about a year but insisted it was not when she was underage. He also refuted claims made in a recent YouTube exposé, saying it included false testimonies and fabricated screenshots of messages that could not have come from Kim Sae-ron.


Kim Sae-ron was born in July 2000, and the age of consent in South Korea is 16.

"I did not date the deceased when she was a minor. And it is also not true that the deceased made a tragic choice because of me turning a blind eye," Kim said at a press conference on Monday, addressing claims that their relationship contributed to her death.

Lawyers representing Kim Soo-hyun and his agency announced legal action against those involved in the YouTube exposé. They have filed lawsuits amounting to 12 billion won ($8.15 million) in damages and reported the individuals for defamation and violating the information protection act.

A lawyer representing Kim Sae-ron’s family could not immediately be reached for comment.

Kim Sae-ron was once considered one of South Korea’s most promising actresses, but her career suffered after a drunk driving incident in 2022.

Kim Soo-hyun gained fame in South Korea and China for his roles in the hit drama series My Love from the Star and Queen of Tears.

Inputs from Reuters