Korean star Kim Soo-hyun has faced backlash recently, including allegations of a six-year relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron and pressing her for debt repayment.
On Wednesday (12 Mar 2025), Korean media outlet “Dispatch” confirmed the authenticity of their intimate photos.
The outlet also noted inconsistencies in statements from Kim Soo-hyun’s agency regarding a debt of 700 million Korean won (approximately SGD$642,300).
Debt Collection Led to Distress
The agency claimed “the pursuit of 700 million won was just a formal legal filing,” but Kim Sae-ron understood it differently, believing Kim Soo-hyun wanted the full 700 million won back.
Kim Sae-ron’s career was destroyed by a drunk driving incident, after which her agency Goldmedalist covered all penalty fees.
She thought she could repay gradually, but according to “Dispatch,” she received a lawsuit demanding debt repayment in March 2024.
She sent a desperate message to Kim Soo-hyun: “You said you would give me ample time, so I’ve been working hard to prepare for a comeback. I planned to use a percentage from each project to slowly repay. It’s not that I won’t pay back, but I really can’t do it now. Please help me and give me some time.”
His agency responded coldly, and with no options left, she leaked a photo of herself with Kim Soo-hyun on 24 Mar 2024.
After the “accidental photo” was published, the industry was shocked.
“Dispatch” contacted Kim Sae-ron on 25 Mar 2024, to which she replied: “I can’t talk to you now and can’t give you the response you want, sorry,” and “I don’t want this message to become news. I’m just responding out of courtesy because you messaged me.”
She politely ended with “Thank you, have a nice day,” so “Dispatch” didn’t publish this conversation at that time.
Neighbour Confirms Distress Before Death
“Dispatch” also asked Goldmedalist if they were pursuing the 700 million won debt from Kim Sae-ron.
The company answered it was “just a formal lawsuit” with no immediate demand for money, but Kim Sae-ron perceived it differently, ultimately leading to her suicide.
The report stated that “Dispatch” visited Kim Sae-ron’s neighbourhood after her death.
A neighbour confirmed: “After the death news broke, I knew it was Kim Sae-ron. I remember she often cried on the stairway, with marks on her wrists. I felt she was young but living a hard life. Until then, I didn’t know she was an actress. I thought she moved to Seoul with her sister.”
Brand Deals at Risk
Kim Soo-hyun has lost over 200,000 Instagram followers due to recent news.
After beauty brand Dinto announced a pause on his schedule, another brand reported that they will not renew his contract, with stores already replacing his photos.
Korean media reported that CJ Foodville’s bakery brand Tous Les Jours signed a six-month endorsement contract with Kim Soo-hyun in September 2024, set to end in March.
The brand has decided not to renew, and many stores have already replaced promotional posters with new product photos.
CJ Foodville had previously selected Kim Soo-hyun as Tous Les Jours’ spokesperson in 2015, renewing the partnership after 10 years in 2024.
However, recent allegations that Kim had a relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was underage sparked widespread discussion, leading CJ Foodville to lean toward non-renewal.
According to reports, Kim Soo-hyun currently has an upcoming drama Knock-Off and more than 10 endorsement deals across fashion, food, beauty, and electronics.
Most brands say they are monitoring the situation, but if more substantial evidence emerges against Kim Soo-hyun, he could face breach of contract penalties of up to millions of US dollars (at least SGD 13.33 million).
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