South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has remained silent despite mounting allegations from late actress Kim Sae-ron’s family and media.
The controversy, which began with claims that Kim Soo-hyun had dated Kim Sae-ron when she was only 15 and later abandoned her during a financial crisis, has escalated with the release of more intimate photos.
While his agency has acknowledged their relationship, it insists it only began after Kim Sae-ron became an adult.
Many fans have questioned why Kim Soo-hyun has not directly addressed the issue and has instead relied on his agency’s statements.
According to South Korean media, his silence may be tied to his ongoing filming commitments for 'Knock-Off Life.
' Breaking his silence could result in a catastrophic financial loss.
Kim Sae-ron previously faced a career setback due to a DUI incident.
However, in March last year, she uploaded and quickly deleted a close-up selfie with Kim Soo-hyun, fueling rumors about their past.
The controversy reignited in February this year following her sudden passing.
On February 10, the YouTube channel 'Hengso Research Institute' aired a livestream claiming Kim Soo-hyun had dated Kim Sae-ron since 2015, when she was just 15, for a period of six years.
It was further alleged that he cut all ties when she was blacklisted from the industry and demanded she repay 700 million KRW (approximately $530,000 USD) in debts owed to her agency.
Despite initially denying the claims, Kim Soo-hyun's agency later admitted to a relationship but asserted it only took place after she reached adulthood.
This reversal infuriated Kim Sae-ron’s family, leading to even more leaked photos of the two together.
However, Kim Soo-hyun himself has yet to address the allegations personally.
According to reports, this silence may be linked to his leading role in Disney+’s 'Knock-Off Life.
' Since there have been no discussions about recasting him, violating his contract could lead to a staggering penalty between 120 to 180 billion KRW ($90 to $135 million USD).
Fans speculate that publicly acknowledging the full extent of his involvement in the controversy might trigger contractual violations, leading to financial ruin.