Kim Soo-Hyun And Kim Sae-Ron Controversy: Exposing South Korean Entertainment Industry's Double Standards

South Korean actor Kim Soo-Hyun is under fire after significant claims emerged regarding his previous relationship with late actress Kim Sae-Ron. The scandal began when Kim Sae-Ron's aunt made stunning claims during an interview with the Garosero Research Institute YouTube channel.

According to Seo-Ron's aunt, Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron had a secret relationship that lasted six years, starting when Sae Ron was only 15 years old. She also accused Kim Soo Hyun of turning his back on Sae Ron after her DUI incident in 2022, which she believes worsened her situation.

The discussion of the controversy is not just about the legality but the deeply ingrained double standard in the South Korean entertainment industry against both genders.

At its core, the controversy claims that Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron had a secret relationship that lasted six years, starting when Sae Ron was only 15 years old, which is not a legal age. In fact, various pictures and a handwritten letter by the actor also went viral during the incident. Though initially, the Kim Soo-Hyun Agency, Gold Medalist denied any romantic involvement. However, a few days later, Kim Soo-Hyun Agency released a huge statement.

According to the agency, "Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019, after Kim Sae Ron became a legal adult, until the fall of 2020. It is not true that Kim Soo Hyun dated Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor. The photos shared by Kim Sae Ron on her Instagram Stories on March 24, 2024, and those shown in HoverLab’s broadcast on March 11, 2025, depict private moments of the two during their relationship in the winter of 2020. The outfit worn by Kim Sae Ron in those photos was released by a brand in June 2019, making HoverLab’s claim that the photos were taken in 2016, when Kim Sae Ron was a minor, impossible.

The agency further added, "The letters Kim Soo Hyun sent to Kim Sae Ron during his military service were among the letters sent to close acquaintances. As can be seen from the content, Kim Soo Hyun was adapting to military life and often wrote in detail about his daily life to his friends."

Korean Industry Double Standard

Another part of this subject that has sparked outrage is the disparity in how male and female celebrities are treated following controversies.

For example, after a DUI case in 2022, Kim Sae-Ron's career took a massive hit. While DUI offenses are serious, many netizens felt that the industry and the public were unusually harsh towards her, effectively blacklisting her from opportunities.

Other examples include male counterparts who have recovered from worse scandals:

• BIGBANG's Seungri spent 18 months in prison for his role in the Burning Sun incident, which included prostitution, drug trafficking, and embezzlement, but he still has industry admirers.
• Despite several DUI incidents, Kangin (Super Junior) was permitted to quietly retire rather than being entirely cut off.
• Despite facing domestic abuse claims, Kim Hyun-joong managed to make a comeback.

So, this is where the question arises: why? Why hasn't she gotten a second chance?

Thus, this isn't only about the controversy; it's a wake-up call for the entertainment industry, which frequently exhibits double standards and even fails to safeguard their artists from suicide.

Furthermore, netizens also need to be calm until all legalities are resolved. They must be careful with their statements because life is extremely valuable. Their one statement, their troll, can absolutely ruin or kill anyone's life.