Kim Soo-hyun has reversed his earlier denial of a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, acknowledging that the two dated for about a year. However, his agency, Gold Medalist, emphasized that their relationship began only after Kim Sae-ron became a legal adult.

On March 14, an exclusive report by OSEN revealed the internal reasoning behind Kim Soo-hyun's change in stance. When initial dating rumors surfaced last year, Gold Medalist had firmly denied them, stating that they were "groundless." However, in the latest official statement, the agency corrected its position, confirming that "Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020."

A representative from Gold Medalist explained to OSEN, "Given the seriousness of the issue, we urgently prepared and distributed the official statement today. We ask for understanding if some details appear incomplete." The official added, "Both Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron are public figures, and at the time of the dating rumors, it was difficult for them to acknowledge a breakup that had occurred four years earlier."

The controversy first erupted in March 2024 when Kim Sae-ron posted a now-deleted photo of herself and Kim Soo-hyun looking intimate. The image quickly spread across social media, prompting widespread speculation about their relationship. At the time, a source familiar with both actors told OSEN, "That photo was not recent."

However, the affectionate nature of the image, showing Kim Soo-hyun pressing his cheek against Kim Sae-ron while she winked, fueled rumors. Despite this, Gold Medalist maintained a strict denial, stating, "The two are absolutely not in a romantic relationship." The agency even warned against unnecessary speculation, only to acknowledge the past relationship a year later.

Kim Soo-hyun's abrupt reversal is seen as a response to Garo Sero Institute (GaSeYeon), a YouTube investigative channel that recently accused him of dating Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. The channel claimed that the two had been romantically involved for six years, beginning in 2015 when she was just 15, and labeled the situation as "grooming."

Additionally, GaSeYeon reported allegations from Kim Sae-ron's family that Gold Medalist had pressured her to repay 700 million KRW ($520,000) in damages related to her 2022 DUI incident. The channel further criticized Kim Soo-hyun for allegedly failing to support his former girlfriend during her financial struggles.

Gold Medalist, however, strongly refuted these claims, calling them "defamatory and false." The agency has vowed to take the "strongest possible legal action" against GaSeYeon and announced that an additional official statement will be released next week.

The latest statement from Gold Medalist aimed to clarify two key points: first, while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron did date, their relationship only took place after she became an adult in 2019. Second, the widely circulated photos of the two together were taken in early 2020, not in 2016, as GaSeYeon alleged.

Regarding the legal notice sent to Kim Sae-ron demanding repayment for damages, Gold Medalist claimed that it was a procedural measure rather than a demand for immediate payment. "The legal notice was a standard procedure required to document the financial loss incurred by the company due to her DUI incident," the agency stated. "There was no intent to pressure her into repayment."

Gold Medalist also disputed GaSeYeon's claims that text messages between Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun proved financial coercion. "We have obtained legal assessments that clarify the actual context of those messages, and we never pressured her for repayment," the agency added.

Most notably, the agency emphasized Kim Soo-hyun's deteriorating mental state due to the controversy. The actor has reportedly been deeply affected by malicious comments linking him to Kim Sae-ron's death. A representative told OSEN, "Kim Soo-hyun is in an extremely fragile state. We are doing everything we can to ensure his well-being."

When pressed for more details, Gold Medalist declined to elaborate, stating, "Our priority is Kim Soo-hyun's mental stability. We ask for your understanding in not disclosing further details."

The agency concluded by stating that the emergency statement was released earlier than planned due to the urgency of the situation. "Our official response, originally scheduled for next week, is still under discussion," they said.

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