table of content table of content
Starting a website dedicated to kdramas this year without mentioning the "Kim Soo-hyun / Kim Sae Ron affair" seems almost impossible. I, for one, have been following this story since its inception and remain convinced that it all stems from financial issues between the deceased and her family, the actor having found himself, in spite of himself, at the heart of the turmoil (his main "fault": having dated the actress in 2019-2020). For fans and those who have taken this affair to heart, these 3 long months of twists and turns (just today, since March 10) have been trying.
Three months of turmoil: when the tide finally turns
During those three months, many people, in search of the truth, became amateur detectives, exploring the life of the deceased actress as if they were conducting a police investigation. And today.., we can say that the tide is turning in Kim Soo-hyun's favor. Initially, a wave of hatred swept over him, with brands breaking off their contracts without waiting for any official investigation (from a business point of view, it's hard to take that risk in the face of the initial accusations, but from a human point of view, the decisions were too extreme and aforementioned). His press conference on March 31 was hardly taken seriously, yet he made it clear that he was going to prove his innocence, by taking legal action.
This case, which from the outset was based on little concrete evidence, has nevertheless had a real impact on the actor's career and life: how can he now get back on track after such a relentless attack on him? And what if the media also had a role to play in this? In recent weeks serious South Korean journalists, have begun to publish more nuanced analyses.
Excerpts from the Korean press: Park Ji-hye and Naver/SBS Entertainment
To find out more, click here, here's an excerpt from Park Ji-hye's article. for bnt News (published today), which skilfully summarizes the case and the recent shift in opinion in Kim Soo-hyun's favor. I strongly encourage you read the original article in full to capture every nuance.
I also add extracts from the June 9 article on Naver.com (SBS Entertainment section), which reveals the actress's dramatic financial situation, largely linked to her family, which are the latest news on the subject to date. To sum up:
- His fatherafter a commercial failure during the pandemic, left debts to more than 20 creditors. He officially filed for bankruptcy in 2023. Among his creditors was his own daughter, Kim Sae Ron, for an amount exceeding 250 million won (around €170,000).
- The actress supported his parents financiallyIn particular, to open a restaurant in 2021, which closed in 2024 with unpaid debts.
- She would also have taken on compensation costs related to its drunk driving case in 2022 (it had collided with an electrical transformer).
- In 2023, during her trial, she would have described herself as a "young head of household struggling to provide for his family.
- Despite several jobs (cafés, bars, florists, coaching actors), she was struggling to pay the rent. She reportedly incurred debts with celebrities, sports friends and even her former agents.
- Before his death, his accumulated debts would have reached at least minus 1.2 billion won (around €800,000). She reportedly left private messages expressing her despair.
And yet, less than a month after the actress's death.., his family points the finger at Kim Soo-hyun, accusing him of having had a relationship with her when she was a minor, and of being responsible for her suicide. This accusation first circulated with force via the Garo Sero Research Institute YouTube channel, whose views exploded in the early days of the revelations, before running out of steam as public opinion began to understand the complexity of the case and a greater involvement of the family than Kim Soo Hyun's role in the young actress's life.
At present Gangnam and Seodaemun police stations in Seoul are seized: Kim Soo-hyun and his agency Gold Medalist have lodged complaints against the actress's family and the Garo Sero Institute. The investigation is ongoing.
The weight of cancel culture in South Korea
This case is a terrible illustration of the pressure that celebrities are under in South Korea: they are expected to present an immaculate image, while their private lives are scrutinized down to the smallest detail. The slightest faux pas (whether proven or not) can trigger a media storm, ruining careers and mental health, in a context where the suicide rate remains worryingly high.
On Kdrama Kopi, we defend a responsible approach Whether it's about this affair or future controversies (which we don't want to see), we'll always remember that rumors and speculation are not the same as the truth. Actors and actresses are human beings; massive hatred of them, on the pretext of celebrity, is inadmissible. We will continue to report on developments in the case without spreading every rumor, aware that the media and content creators have a crucial role to play: to prioritize verification and ethics over easy clicks. As Internet users, we all have a responsibility: to check sources and think before sharing on the networks.
A law to regulate celebrity gossip
It is urgent to think about legislative mechanisms to protect individuals, including celebritiesagainst the abusive dissemination of false information. Appropriate laws could punish abuses and prevent YouTubers, the media or individuals from spreading unfounded allegations with impunity for months on end.
A petition signed by 50,000 Koreans, aimed at "improving the system to prevent the dissemination of false information and the violation of human rights on online platforms", is due to be considered by the new government which took office at the beginning of June 2025. This is one of the major challenges facing the Korean entertainment industry this year, and the lesson to be learned from these first 6 months To preserve the mental health and reputation of individuals, while maintaining balanced freedom of the press and expression.
See in Threads
