Late Kim Sae-ron’s Family Fires Back At Lee Jin-ho: “Stop Distorting the Truth with Fake Aunt Allegations”
On March 21, the controversial YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute aired a live stream titled “[Shocking Exclusive] The Lee Jin-ho Audio Mystery (Kim Soo-hyun’s ‘Exposure’ at Shopping Mall).” During the broadcast, host Kim Se-eui read an official statement from Kim Sae-ron’s mother.
The family began: “Lee Jin-ho claims he’s suing Kim Sae-ron’s ‘fake aunt’. Mr. Lee, we don’t know who that is. No such person has harmed us. The person you’re referring to is just Sae-ron’s aunt. If anyone needs to sue, it’s us. Why are you doing this?”
They continued, “Why do we even need to clarify such petty issues? Do you think the public will forget what you did if you keep shifting the focus? Real aunt, fake aunt — what difference does it make? She met Sae-ron as a fellow child actor’s mom around age six, helped with housework, supported her manager duties — it’s been nearly 20 years. My children and I have always considered her like real family.”
“When Sae-ron was struggling for the past three years due to coordinated fake news and hate comments, this ‘aunt’ stood by her — not as a spokesperson, but as family. Since the day she passed, she has stayed with us non-stop for over a month. If that’s not an aunt, then what is?”
They firmly concluded, “Once again, we clarify: this person Lee Jin-ho calls a ‘fake aunt’ is acting as our official spokesperson with full permission. She is no different from a real aunt to us.”
“Is apologizing really that difficult for you, Mr. Lee? Was our request too much? Please stop twisting the essence of this situation,” the family pleaded.
Finally, they added: “What you’re doing isn’t truth-seeking — it’s a desperate last attempt to justify your actions and pain. Don’t pretend otherwise.”
Background of the Ongoing Controversy
- The family’s response is part of the escalating dispute over Kim Sae-ron’s alleged underage relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun.
- Kim was born in 1988 and Sae-ron in 2000. According to the family, the two began dating in 2015 — when she was just 15.
- A letter Kim allegedly wrote to Sae-ron during his military service in June 2018 has also leaked by the family.
- Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, initially denied but later confirmed that the controversial kitchen photo showing a man with no pants was indeed Kim.
- The agency has now filed charges against the family, Garosero Research Institute, and Sae-ron’s aunt for spreading the image and related accusations.
This latest update paints a picture of not only media chaos but deep emotional strain for Kim Sae-ron’s family. As both sides brace for legal battles, the public is left wondering: Where is the line between truth-seeking and harassment — and has it already been crossed?