Kim Sae-ron’s Family Denies Financial Motive, Plans to Sue YouTuber for Ongoing Psychological Abuse and Harassment
As controversy continues to surround the alleged underage relationship between actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron, the actress’s family has come forward to refute claims that they are seeking financial gain. They also announced plans to pursue stalking charges against YouTuber Lee Jin-ho, citing his role in triggering emotional distress and self-harm incidents.
On March 27, a press conference was held at SpaceShare Gangnam Station Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where Boo Ji-seok, the head attorney at Law Firm Buyu, spoke on behalf of the bereaved family alongside Kim Se-ui, operator of the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute.
Kim Sae-ron’s Family Denies Financial Motive
Boo Ji-seok addressed growing speculation that the family was exploiting the scandal for money. “We gave a lot of thought to whether holding this press conference was the right thing to do,” he told reporters, citing the overwhelming psychological and emotional pain the family has endured due to the public scrutiny of Kim Sae-ron’s private life.
“We are doing this in the hope that the public will stop blaming the bereaved family. This is not a place to reveal the reason why Kim Sae-ron took her own life.” Refuting accusations of financial motive, Boo firmly stated, “The baseless and false claim that the family is exposing the relationship with Kim Soo-hyun for financial purposes is being spread recklessly. Kim Soo-hyun’s agency is fully aware that after Kim Sae-ron received a content-certified letter, she contacted a suicide prevention center and engaged in acts of self-harm.”
He added that no parent could remain silent after losing their child, emphasizing that even if Kim Soo-hyun or YouTuber Lee Jin-ho were not the direct cause of Kim Sae-ron’s death, it would be impossible for any parent to learn such facts and simply stay at home without taking action.
Kim Sae-ron’s Family Plans to Sue YouTuber for Ongoing Psychological Abuse and Harassment
During the same press conference, Boo also revealed that the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has announced plans to file a stalking-related criminal complaint against YouTuber Lee Jin-ho, citing emotional distress and self-harm incidents triggered by his videos.
Boo stated, “After being sued himself, YouTuber Lee Jin-ho began revealing details of Kim Sae-ron’s private life on a daily basis, causing tremendous suffering for her family. Regardless of his intent, the family repeatedly witnessed Kim Sae-ron self-harming after watching his broadcasts. How can he still claim no responsibility for her death? We plan to file charges against him for stalking-related crimes.”
Earlier in March, Garo Sero released videos featuring claims from Kim Sae-ron’s alleged “aunt” and intimate photos suggesting a six-year relationship with Kim Soo-hyun beginning in 2016, when she was still a minor. In response, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency denied the accusations and later clarified that the two dated only between summer 2019 and fall 2020, after she became a legal adult.
The series of escalating events has intensified public debate around the ethics of online exposure, the accountability of public figures, and the mental health toll on those in the spotlight. As the legal battle unfolds, public sentiment remains sharply divided, with increasing calls for clearer boundaries between entertainment reporting and cyber harassment.