However, in the days that followed, Garosero Research Institute released more images of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, with some that show the former kissing the latter on the cheek.
According to the channel, some of these photos were taken when the female Kim was still in middle school.
As of writing, the backlash against Kim Soo-hyun continues to grow as more materials, including purported text messages and handwritten letters, make their way online.
Here’s everything we know so far about the saga.
WHAT WERE THE ALLEGATIONS MADE IN THE VIDEO ON MAR 10?
In addition to claiming that the pair were in a relationship for six years, Kim Sae-ron’s aunt also alleged that when Kim Sae-ron joined Gold Medalist in 2020 (months after it was newly formed by Kim Soo-hyun and his cousin), she helped coach actors there for free.
Following Kim Sae-ron’s drunk driving accident, Gold Medalist reportedly covered the 700 million won (US$480,000) compensation to affected parties. According to Kim’s aunt, Kim Soo-hyun never asked for a repayment deadline. However, Kim Sae-ron told her aunt that she intended to pay him back by working hard even though he never demanded repayment.
In 2022, her contract with Gold Medalist came to an end and she left the agency.
Her aunt alleged that in 2024, Kim Sae-ron suddenly received a certified letter demanding that the 700 million won be repaid. Surprised, Kim Sae-ron tried to reach out to Kim Soo-hyun through various means, including texting him using her cousin’s number. The male Kim never responded.
However, Korean reporters began calling Kim Sae-ron’s cousin – thinking they were calling the actress. This made Kim Sae-ron suspect that Kim Soo-hyun had provided that number to journalists.
Hoping to get Kim Soo-hyun to respond to her, Kim Sae-ron uploaded an Instagram story on March 2024 – at the height of Queen Of Tears’ popularity – showing a selfie of the two close together. She deleted the story within minutes.
