Kim Sae-ron’s Alleged Marriage and Abuse: Conflicting Claims and Legal Battles Intensify
The circumstances surrounding Kim Sae-ron’s passing have taken another dramatic turn, with starkly opposing claims from different parties. As speculation swirls, accusations about her alleged marriage, domestic abuse, and ties to actor Kim Soo-hyun have fueled an increasingly chaotic situation.
On March 20, Garo Sero Institute claimed that YouTuber Lee Jin-ho had spread falsehoods, stating, “The bereaved family said they had never heard of Sae-ron’s marriage and had no knowledge of it. They also don’t understand why the manager spoke about abortion to Lee Jin-ho.” They further questioned the manager’s claim of paying 20 million won for Kim Sae-ron’s hospital bills, calling it “completely unconvincing.”
The emotional toll on Kim Sae-ron’s mother was also highlighted, as Garo Sero Institute recounted her breakdown, quoting her as saying, “Do I have to die for Lee Jin-ho and Kim Soo-hyun to stop harassing us?”
Previously, Kim Sae-ron’s family had accused Kim Soo-hyun of dating Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor and alleged that Lee Jin-ho’s videos criticizing Kim Sae-ron were a key factor in her tragic passing. However, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency Gold Medalist refuted the allegations, asserting, “Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were only in a relationship from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after she had become an adult.”
In response to the ongoing accusations, Lee Jin-ho released an audio recording on his YouTube channel, titled “Shocking Audio! The Real Reason Kim Sae-ron Was Struggling.” In the recording, a close friend of Kim Sae-ron, referred to as B, spoke with a representative from her new agency, A, claiming that Kim Sae-ron’s alleged husband in the U.S. had physically abused her.
According to B, “I saw her two days ago. She was fine. We played screen golf and ate together. I think it was because of that man she met in America. He beat her up. I have photos of the injuries.” When asked about Kim Sae-ron’s supposed husband, B said, “That person contacted me and swore at me. I wanted to respond, but I didn’t, for Sae-ron’s sake. Then he contacted me from another number, cursing again.”
B continued, “Sae-ron told me that he (her husband) physically assaulted and threatened her. She showed me photos of knife marks on her neck and said it was real.” While acknowledging the lack of official confirmation, B added, “Friends believe she passed away because of that man. He kept attacking and threatening her.”
Meanwhile, Lee Jin-ho doubled down on his claims that Kim Sae-ron’s struggles were not due to her alleged past with Kim Soo-hyun but rather because of the supposed abuse from her husband. He also released a recording of Kim Sae-ron, allegedly confirming her marriage in a conversation with A on January 8, the same day she posted a cryptic “Marry” caption with a male figure on social media. In the audio, when asked, “Your parents knew about the marriage, right?” Kim Sae-ron’s voice reportedly affirmed, “Yes.”
However, this directly contradicts Garo Sero Institute’s claim that Kim Sae-ron’s family was completely unaware of any marriage. With two conflicting narratives, the truth remains elusive.
In the latest development, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency Gold Medalist announced legal action against Garo Sero Institute and Kim Sae-ron’s relatives, accusing them of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes by distributing explicit images of Kim Soo-hyun. The agency’s legal representative stated, “The photos were taken when Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship as adults. They were never meant to be made public, and releasing them is a criminal act.”
The legal representative also condemned the spread of misinformation, warning that continued false claims would result in “comprehensive legal action.” They emphasized, “Kim Soo-hyun’s reputation has been severely damaged. If this persists, we will take full-scale legal measures.”
As the scandal grows more convoluted, the truth behind Kim Sae-ron’s tragic passing remains unclear. What is certain, however, is that legal action is now at the forefront, and the coming days will determine who is held accountable.