Kim Sae-ron’s family denies knowledge of alleged marriage

The late actress Kim Sae-ron / Yonhap

The controversy surrounding actor Kim Soo-hyun continues to escalate as new revelations come to light, including audio recordings allegedly involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron, claims about her marriage and abortion and emotional statements from her family.

YouTube channel Hoverlab and YouTuber Lee Jin-ho both released additional claims and recordings on Thursday, further fueling their ongoing clash over the case.

The developments came as Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, filed a police complaint against Hoverlab and members of Kim Sae-ron’s family, citing sexual humiliation caused by a photo showing Kim’s lower body partially exposed.

In a video released Wednesday, YouTuber Lee Jin-ho claimed that Kim Sae-ron had already married her boyfriend in the United States when she posted a photo on Instagram in January with the caption “Marry” alongside what appeared to be wedding-themed images. He further alleged that she became pregnant and later had an abortion.

Lee also released an audio recording of a phone conversation between a manager from Kim’s new agency and a woman believed to be Kim Sae-ron, suggesting it referenced the alleged events.

He claimed the bereaved family was aware of Kim’s marriage, citing their ongoing release of materials retrieved from her phone. Lee also alleged that after Kim attempted suicide multiple times early last year, her family failed to pay her 20 million won ($15,000) hospital bill, which was instead covered by her new agency.

Lee’s claim came two days after her family filed a defamation complaint against him, accusing him of spreading false information and causing severe psychological distress, which they believe ultimately contributed to her death.

Actor Kim Soo-hyun / Courtesy of Gold Medalist

In response, Kim Se-ui, operator of Hoverlab, who has been conveying the views of the bereaved family, refuted the claims and released three handwritten letters written by Kim Sae-ron’s mother on Thursday.

“The family never hid anything. They were completely unaware and are at a loss as to how such claims are being made,” Kim said. “Kim Sae-ron’s mother broke down in tears yesterday. We had planned a press conference today, but she’s now physically unable to even stand.”

Kim also said, “The family had never heard anything about Kim being married and cannot understand why she would have discussed an abortion with her manager.”

He further claimed that Gold Medalist has effectively acknowledged the identity of the person in the photo released by Hoverlab on Mar. 15, adding, “The real battle has just begun, Kim Soo-hyun has finally stepped into the ring.”

Gold Medalist filed a police complaint Thursday against the bereaved family of Kim Sae-ron and the operator of Hoverlab, citing violations of laws related to sexual crimes, among other charges.

“We have filed a complaint against Kim Se-ui, operator of the YouTube channel, for broadcasting a photo during a livestream that showed Kim Soo-hyun with his pants down,” the agency said. “We are also filing against an unidentified individual who identified herself as Kim Sae-ron’s aunt, as well as members of the bereaved family, who allegedly provided the photo and prompted Kim Se-ui to publish it.”

This article is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.