The Kim Soo-hyun controversy has taken a dramatic turn. On September 30, 2025, the Queen of Tears star’s legal team made an unprecedented move—releasing approximately 150 private military letters to clear his name from serious dating allegations involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
What started as rumor has escalated into a legal battle affecting the Hallyu star’s career, with major brands dropping partnerships and projects on hold. Here’s what really happened.
Table of Contents
Kim Soo-hyun Timeline of the Controversy
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 16, 2025 | Kim Sae-ron passes away at age 24 |
| Late February 2025 | Family claims relationship started in 2015 (when she was 15) |
| March 2025 | Prada and Dinto end partnerships with Kim Soo-hyun |
| September 30, 2025 | Legal team releases 150 military letters as evidence |
| October 2025 | Disney+ drama Knock-Off production on hold |
The Allegations Explained
Through their YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, Kim Sae-ron’s family alleged that she and Kim Soo-hyun dated from late 2015 until 2021. The claim suggested the relationship began when she was just 15 years old and he was 27—a serious accusation that sparked immediate backlash.
The family presented alleged text messages and letters claiming to prove the six-year romance. The allegations went viral across Korean entertainment news, causing immediate damage to the actor’s reputation and career.
Kim Soo-hyun’s Defense: 150 Letters Tell a Different Story
Attorney Ko Sang-rok of Law Firm Phil took an unusual step—making deeply personal correspondence public. The approximately 150 handwritten letters exchanged during Kim’s military service from October 2017 through discharge paint a completely different picture.
What the Letters Revealed
The correspondence showed Kim Soo-hyun was in a committed relationship with another woman during his military enlistment. In 2018, he wrote heartfelt promises to his then-girlfriend: “I will definitely travel with her around this time next year. I want to do new things, things I’ve never done before, all with her.”
The letters contained personal expressions, future plans, and the mundane details of military life—weather updates, daily routines, and longing for leave time. “These materials consistently support the same facts and can be recognized as strong legal evidence,” Ko stated.
The Controversial “Letter to the Deceased”
One letter addressed to Kim Sae-ron was presented as evidence by her family. However, Ko Sang-rok clarified it mentioned only day-to-day military matters and hopes of traveling after service. While it included “I miss you,” the attorney explained this is common phrasing among soldiers expressing general longing for freedom, not romantic interest.
When Did the Relationship Actually Start?
Evidence suggests Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron’s relationship began only after she reached adulthood. A postcard dated November 1, 2019, marked a clear starting point with lines like “From now on, I’ll nag you a lot and show more care.”
Photographs from December 2019 and January 2020—all taken after she entered university—further support this timeline. “If the relationship had started years earlier, more photographs or records from that period should exist. However, none have been produced,” the defense argued.
The Cost of Controversy
The allegations have had severe professional consequences:
Lost Partnerships: Luxury brand Prada and cosmetics company Dinto ended their endorsement deals with Kim Soo-hyun.
Production Delays: His highly anticipated Disney+ drama Knock-Off, co-starring Jo Bo-ah, is now on hold. The 18-episode black comedy about counterfeiting after the 1997 financial crisis was set to premiere in 2025.
Legal Action: Gold Medalist, Kim’s agency, filed multiple lawsuits against Kim Sae-ron’s family and YouTube channel operators for defamation and stalking.
Why Release Private Letters?
Law Firm Phil acknowledged the uncomfortable nature of revealing intimate correspondence. “It is an extremely private record, but it was inevitably disclosed to refute false claims and restore the honor of the actor,” they explained.
The decision highlights how damaging false allegations can be in the K-drama industry, where image is everything. The attorney emphasized their commitment: “Even if they must reveal private details, they will correct false narratives and protect the actor’s reputation.”
What Happens Next?
Criminal complaints have been filed against YouTube channel operators and Kim Sae-ron’s family for defamation and other alleged offenses. The legal battle continues as authorities investigate the authenticity of the original claims.
For fans of Kim Soo-hyun’s work—from My Love from the Star to It’s Okay to Not Be Okay and recent hit Queen of Tears—the controversy raises important questions about evidence, privacy, and the presumption of innocence in the court of public opinion.
FAQs
Q: Is Kim Soo-hyun’s Disney+ drama Knock-Off cancelled?
No, Knock-Off is currently on hold, not cancelled. The production status depends on how the controversy resolves. Disney+ has not made official statements about permanent cancellation, though filming has paused amid the allegations.
Q: Did Kim Soo-hyun admit to dating Kim Sae-ron?
Yes, his legal team confirmed they dated, but only after she became an adult. Evidence including postcards from November 2019 and photos from December 2019 onward support that the relationship began when she was over 18, contradicting claims it started when she was 15.
