Kim Sae-ron’s Family Reveals Tearful Letter + Denies Marriage and Abortion Allegations

According to Star News on March 20, Kim Sae-ron’s family has chosen to remain silent on Lee Jin-ho’s allegations, which were first made public on March 19 via his YouTube channel “Entertainment President Lee Jin-ho.” Their decision is reportedly based on concerns that engaging in a public dispute could overshadow the true essence of the issue.

Lee Jin-ho’s Allegations and the Family’s Response

Lee Jin-ho recently claimed to have obtained an audio recording from January 8, in which a woman, allegedly Kim Sae-ron, admitted to her marriage and pregnancy during a conversation with an entertainment agency representative. This date coincided with Kim Sae-ron’s now-deleted Instagram post that featured the word “Marry” alongside a picture with a man.

Lee further argued that while Kim Sae-ron’s family has been publicly condemning Kim Soo-hyun, she was actually living a newlywed life with another man, based on the recorded conversation. However, his claims sparked intense backlash, with many criticizing him for trying to shift the focus of the controversy in an unethical manner.

Family’s Response

In response to Lee Jin-ho’s claim, Kim Sae-ron’s family filed a defamation lawsuit against Lee Jin-ho on March 17 for spreading false information. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency accepted the complaint on March 18 and has assigned the case to the Seodaemun Police Station for further investigation.

Additionally, on March 20, Youtuber Garo Sero announced that they had met directly with the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron after Lee Jin-ho’s claims of marriage and abortion, saying, “When we met with the family in person, they firmly stated that they had never hidden anything. They had absolutely no knowledge of these matters, so why are such baseless accusations being made?”

“The family was completely unaware that Sae-ron had been married. As for the abortion? We also don’t understand why she would say such things to her manager. And the claim that no one paid Kim Sae-ron’s hospital bills, so her manager had to cover 20 million won is entirely unfounded. Her family cried a lot and demanded proof of these statements. They cannot accept these accusations.”

Following Garo Sero’s claims, Kim Sae-ron’s mother also published a handwritten letter addressed to her late daughter, and the contents of the full letter is as below:

“My beloved daughter, Sae-ron.

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Are you in a warm place? Are you in pain? Are you okay?

Tonight, I couldn’t sleep again. My head aches, and my chest feels so heavy.
They say winter is passing, and warm spring is coming…
But I can’t imagine my heart ever feeling warm again.

The clothes you used to wear, the blanket you used to sleep with…
I can’t throw anything away. Everything remains just as you left it.
On your bed, your presence still lingers.
I still can’t accept that you are gone…

You once asked, ‘If I die, will my friends come?’
My dear daughter, so many people came to say goodbye to you.
You were always like a child, but do you see it now?
Do you see how deeply you touched the world?

The people who truly knew and loved you returned, despite everything.
My daughter lived a wonderful life.
You were kind and strong.
Everyone who knew you came—do you see them?

What does money even matter? All I ever needed was to have you by my side…
I couldn’t protect you. I was afraid…
I could only watch, unable to do anything…
Now, as time passes, all that remains is regret.

I keep wandering, not knowing what to do…
If only I could live in the home you built with your own hands…
I can’t accept the thought of you giving up everything and leaving this world.

I tried to tell you to keep living, to find a way to overcome, no matter what.
I begged you, but in the end, I still couldn’t hold on to you…

‘Mom, shall we go for a walk at the Han River today?’
‘Mom, shall we have steak today?’
‘Mom, do you want to volunteer with me and Neruri (*puppy name) today?’
‘Mom, I painted two red pictures, just like you like.’
‘Mom, I want to eat cucumber soup.’
‘Mom, I want to make frozen rice cakes.’
‘Mom, turn on the TV. Mom, turn on the heater. Mom, turn on the washing machine.’
‘Mom, I’m afraid of the dark. I don’t like silence… Mom, Mom, Mom…’

I can still hear your voice chattering beside me, but now, you’re no longer here.

My daughter, please don’t become a wandering, sorrowful spirit.
Don’t roam in the darkness, don’t drink, don’t hurt yourself…

When I think back, it seems I never truly told you, ‘Don’t give up. Don’t say goodbye.‘
Maybe I never said those words to you…

I’m sorry, my love…
I thought keeping you by my side was protecting you.
I thought as long as you were here, everything would be okay…
But in the end, I hurt you even more. I’m sorry…

Now, I must learn to live without you.
Why did this happen to us…?
I never imagined I would have to send you off like this…

I only hope that the lies they created will end soon,
So that tragedies like this will never happen again.
But all I receive in return are accusations against my child,
And they tell me to just forget…

How much pain did you endure? How exhausted must you have been…?
For three years, our family has suffered so much.

But don’t worry, my love.
Even if the world doesn’t know, I know who you are.
Our family knows. Your friends know.
And the people who truly understand you, they know too.

And now, I will be okay.
Because you once told me: ‘Don’t worry, Mom. Even if the whole world doesn’t know, I know.‘

You must have worried so much, haven’t you?
I’m sorry, Sae-ron…
Now, I will learn to let go, so you can rest in peace.

Lee Jin-ho’s Past Coverage of Kim Sae-ron

Lee Jin-ho has long been known for posting multiple videos about Kim Sae-ron’s personal struggles, including her DUI incident in 2022 and her passing in February 2024. The family has accused him of repeatedly causing her severe emotional distress while she was alive.

In his defense, Lee Jin-ho claimed on March 10 that he had been in contact with Kim Sae-ron’s managers, even discussing the possibility of helping her return to the entertainment industry. He claimed that whenever a negative issue arose, he would contact her managers instead of covering it in his videos. He insisted that he never created content with malicious intent or to defame Kim Sae-ron.

Following Kim Sae-ron’s passing on February 16, Lee privatized all videos related to her, claiming it was done out of respect. However, the family believes this action was an attempt to destroy evidence, prompting them to urge the police to conduct a digital forensics investigation on his channel.

Family Demands Legal Action Against “Cyber Wreckers”

Kim Sae-ron’s family has strongly condemned YouTubers like Lee Jin-ho, emphasizing the need for stricter legal consequences against so-called “cyber wreckers” who exploit sensitive issues for views and profit. They argue that such individuals have crossed ethical boundaries and contributed to immense emotional distress, not only for Kim Sae-ron while she was alive but also for her grieving family. The family further expressed their frustration with the current legal system, which they believe is inadequate in addressing the harm caused by malicious online content.

They stated, “What Lee Jin-ho and others have done is a crime. However, under the current legal framework, it is difficult to hold them accountable for anything beyond defamation. Our only hope is that this case serves as a catalyst for legal and institutional reforms, ensuring that the media upholds its responsibilities and that such tragedies never happen again.”

By pushing for stronger legal protections against online harassment and defamation, Kim Sae-ron’s family hopes that no other individual or family will have to endure similar suffering. They are calling for systemic change, urging authorities to take more decisive action against reckless media practices and the spread of harmful misinformation.