Actor Kim Soo-hyun is once again at the center of intense public scrutiny as the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron held a press conference on May 7 at 2 p.m. KST in Gangnam, Seoul, bringing forward what they claim are “serious criminal allegations.” The event was led by attorney Bu Ji-seok from Buyou Law Firm and controversial YouTuber Kim Se-ui of HoverLab.

At the core of the Kim Soo-hyun controversy are allegations that the actor engaged in a romantic relationship with Kim Sae-ron beginning in 2015—when she was only 15 years old—and that their relationship allegedly lasted six years. The family further claims that after Kim Sae-ron left Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, he demanded repayment of a 700 million KRW debt, allegedly pressuring her even during vulnerable moments in her life.

Kim Soo-hyun has strongly denied all allegations, asserting that the romantic relationship began only after Kim Sae-ron reached adulthood. In retaliation, he has filed a 12 billion KRW defamation lawsuit against Kim Sae-ron’s family and HoverLab, accusing them of spreading false claims and manipulating digital evidence, including doctored KakaoTalk conversations.

In a move to protect his personal safety and privacy, Kim Soo-hyun has also secured a restraining order against Kim Se-ui, citing harassment and stalking behavior.

As tensions mount, today’s press conference is expected to reveal further details, documents, and possibly audio or text exchanges that the family says support their claims. The incident has not only captivated media headlines but also ignited fierce online debate about the ethics of celebrity behavior, the role of digital media in shaping narratives, and the long-term consequences of unresolved personal histories.

With both sides digging in and legal action underway, the Kim Soo-hyun controversy is far from over. All eyes are now on the courtroom and the court of public opinion, as the truth behind these high-stakes allegations begins to unfold.