Kim Soo Hyun Admits To Dating Kim Sae Ron, Unlikely to Be Punished Or Face Brand Penalty Fees Even If Grooming Allegations Are True
On March 14, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, stated, “Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after Kim Sae-ron became an adult. The claim that they dated while she was a minor is not true.”
The agency also emphasized that the photos released by Garo Sero Research Institute and Kim Sae-ron’s family were taken in 2020, when she was already an adult.
In response, lawyer Lee Go-eun appeared on YTN News to discuss the potential legal consequences if it were proven that Kim Soo-hyun had dated Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor.
When asked whether dating a minor itself could be punishable, Lee explained, “Under the current law, which was revised in May 2020, engaging in physical intimacy or a sexual relationship with a minor under 16, even with consent, could constitute statutory rape or sexual misconduct.”
However, she pointed out that before the 2020 amendment, the legal age threshold was 13, not 16. In 2015, when Kim Sae-ron was 15, the previous law applied. At that time, the law only criminalized sexual relationships with minors under 13. Simply dating a minor was not enough for legal punishment. Since Kim Sae-ron was 15, she did not fall under the “under 13” category as defined by the law at the time.
Lee concluded, “Therefore, it would be difficult to apply statutory rape or sexual misconduct charges against Kim Soo-hyun.”
She added, “To hold Kim Soo-hyun accountable for a sex crime against a minor, there would need to be proof of sexual contact or a relationship beyond simple dating. Given the current circumstances, it seems unlikely that he could be legally charged with an offense related to a minor.”
Kim Soo Hyun’s Lucrative Endorsements at Stake
Kim Soo Hyun is the face of over 15 brands, including Shinhan Bank, Homeplus, Prada, Jo Malone, Cuckoo, Eider, Frombio, Shabu All Day, Bench, Mido, and You Beauty. His endorsement fees range from 700 million to 1 billion KRW per deal.
Typically, advertisers can claim penalty fees if a spokesperson’s scandal damages their brand’s reputation. In Kim Soo Hyun’s case, estimates suggest he could face penalties of up to 20 billion KRW (approximately $15 million). However, legal experts believe this may be difficult to enforce.
Amid recent allegations regarding actor Kim Soo-hyun’s past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, a TikTok account impersonating Kim has surfaced, seeking financial support from fans. This account features posts requesting monetary assistance and displays logos of brands Kim is associated with, marking certain companies with an ‘X’ to suggest terminated contracts. The account’s authenticity is questionable due to awkward translation and the inclusion of Chinese characters, leading to suspicions of fraudulent intent targeting Kim’s substantial fanbase in Chinese-speaking regions.
Legal Gray Area in Advertising Contracts
Attorney Noh Jong-eon from Law Firm Jone explained:
“Advertising contracts generally include clauses about acts that harm a model’s social reputation. However, during the alleged dating period, South Korean law defined statutory rape as sexual relations with someone under 13. This threshold was raised to 16 only in 2020 after the infamous Nth Room case.”
He continued:
“There is no evidence that Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron had a sexual relationship. Even if they did, it would have been legal at the time. Unless advertisers can prove severe reputational damage, courts may not recognize a contract violation.”
“Although the situation has sparked public outrage, legally, it might not be considered a breach of his contracts. The key issue is whether his actions objectively harmed his social reputation under contractual terms.”
Kim Soo Hyun’s Response & Garo Sero Institute’s Allegations
On March 10, YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute (GSI) alleged that Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron had been dating since she was 15. They later released private photos of the two together and a letter from Kim Soo Hyun to Kim Sae Ron during his military service.
Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, initially dismissed the claims as false and threatened legal action. However, as the controversy escalated, they issued a new statement on March 13, announcing:
“Gold Medalist will clarify the facts and counter the baseless rumors with concrete evidence next week.”