Kim Sae-ron’s family has officially denied resurfacing claims about her alleged past relationship with a male idol in 2018. Addressing the controversy surrounding Kim Sae-ron idol dating rumors, her family labeled the reports as distorted and urged the public to stop amplifying her personal struggles, especially in light of her previous hardships.

Family Shuts Down Claims About 2018 Idol Relationship

On May 22, Kim Sae-ron’s family spoke directly to Hankyung to refute recent headlines suggesting she had once dated a well-known idol, referred to as “Mr. A.” According to her family representative, “Kim Sae-ron was never reckless in her private life. She was genuine in her relationships and got along easily with male friends.” They further emphasized that during her relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun, her emotions were so deeply invested that “there was no space in her heart for anyone else.”

The family expressed dismay over the way YouTubers and online creators continue to pry into Kim Sae-ron’s life, saying it’s causing emotional distress and “killing her twice” with reckless exposure. They clarified that her friendships with male celebrities were often misinterpreted due to her easygoing nature.

Focus Remains on Cyber Defamation, Not Kim Soo-hyun

On March 27, during a press conference led by their attorney Boo Ji-ok from Buyu Law Firm, the family reiterated their legal stance. Their lawsuit targets YouTuber Lee Jin-ho, not actor Kim Soo-hyun. “From the beginning, the family considered cyber defamation to be the heart of the issue, not Kim Soo-hyun,” the lawyer explained.

These legal actions aim to counter defamatory YouTube content, especially videos titled things like “Why Did Kim Sae-ron Borrow Money From Her Ex-Idol Boyfriend?” which the family believes are deeply damaging to her legacy.

Clarifying the Timeline: New Allegations and Denials

Controversy intensified when a May 21 Money Today report alleged that Kim Sae-ron dated a senior idol beginning around 2018. The two supposedly broke up in 2019, reunited in 2022 when she was going through her DUI scandal, and parted ways again in early 2023—though they allegedly remained in contact. Mr. A also reportedly lent her money during her financial struggles.

This report was intended to distinguish Mr. A from Kim Soo-hyun, clarifying that the rumors around Kim Soo-hyun were separate. However, confusion deepened when Gosero Institute (a YouTube channel) claimed that Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun had actually dated for six years, starting in 2015 when she was just 15.

In response, Kim Soo-hyun publicly acknowledged a past relationship with Kim Sae-ron but firmly denied any underage involvement. He has since filed a defamation lawsuit against both Kim Sae-ron’s family and Gosero Institute CEO Kim Si-wi for spreading what he says are false and harmful accusations.

Family Presents Alleged Audio Evidence

On May 7, the family fired back with a press conference of their own, announcing a lawsuit against Kim Soo-hyun for allegedly violating laws protecting minors from sexual abuse. As part of their evidence, they shared a recreated voice clip—featuring a voice actor impersonating Kim Sae-ron—where she reportedly said, “Kim Soo-hyun and I dated from middle school until I entered college and then broke up.”

Additional media speculation has suggested Kim Sae-ron also dated a solo artist and a former national athlete, especially during the time she was said to be borrowing money to deal with the aftermath of her DUI case.