Amid the escalating controversies surrounding Kim Soo-hyun, fresh scrutiny has been cast on his family ties, especially his enigmatic relationship with Lee Sa-rang, a figure shrouded in mystery.
Who Is Lee Sa-rang?
Lee Sa-rang, also known by the names Lee Jae-hyun and Lee Ro-be, was initially introduced to the public as Kim Soo-hyun’s cousin. However, a bombshell Dispatch investigation in 2017 uncovered startling details about his deep involvement in the film “Real” and his alleged attempts to obscure his true relationship with the actor.
According to Dispatch’s post in 2027, Lee Sa-rang not only founded the production company Cove Pictures but also took on the role of director for “Real”, all while operating under two different aliases. His involvement became a source of major controversy, particularly as the film failed both critically and commercially, leaving many questioning the true motivations behind its production.
The “Real” Controversy
Despite its substantial 11.5 billion KRW (approximately 7.93 million USD) production budget, “Real” was met with widespread criticism for its disjointed storytelling, subpar editing, and unimpressive special effects. The film’s overall execution raised serious concerns about how such a significant budget had been allocated.
Dispatch’s investigation traced the origins of “Real”‘s funding back to Real Munjeonsa, a company established in 2015, with Lee Jae-hyun listed as its CEO. This firm specialized in managing film investments and successfully secured substantial financial backing from both Korean and Chinese investors. Then, in 2016, another company, Cove Pictures, was founded, with its very first production being “Real”. A key discovery in Dispatch’s report was that both companies shared the same official address: a luxury residential complex in Seongsu-dong, which also happened to be the registered home address of Kim Soo-hyun.
That same year, Lee Jae-hyun underwent a name change, adopting the new identity of Lee Ro-be. According to Dispatch, the name “Ro-ve” was derived from the Korean pronunciation of the English word “love.” Given that “love” translates to “sa-rang” in Korean, this effectively formed the name “Lee Sa-rang,” which was the alias credited as the director of “Real”.
Originally, the film was meant to be directed by Lee Jeong-seob. However, he was later replaced by Lee Sa-rang, despite the latter having no prior experience in filmmaking. Initial rumors suggested that Lee Jeong-seob’s departure was linked to accusations of embezzlement. However, in an interview with Dispatch, Lee Jeong-seob personally refuted these claims, clarifying that he had exited the project due to irreconcilable “creative differences.”
Upon release, “Real” was met with overwhelmingly negative reception. Dispatch harshly criticized its weak narrative structure and amateurish cinematography, further condemning the way female characters were portrayed. The outlet wrote, “Female actresses are only utilized for scenes involving sex, drugs, and casinos,” calling attention to the film’s problematic depiction of women. One of the most controversial aspects of the movie was a nude scene featuring the late singer-actress Sulli, which ignited significant backlash and further fueled public outrage over the project’s questionable creative direction.
The “Family Scheme” Allegations
Dispatch ultimately labeled the project a “family scheme,” alleging that one brother handled the funding and direction while the other lent his star power to attract attention. The report also claimed that Lee Sa-rang was not just Kim Soo-hyun’s cousin but his half-brother, a rumor supported by some industry insiders.
Online discussions have attempted to piece together Kim Soo-hyun’s family background, with speculations suggesting that Lee Sa-rang is the son of Kim Soo-hyun’s mother and her first husband, while Kim Soo-hyun was born from her second marriage. Additionally, Kim Soo-hyun’s biological father, who remarried, has a daughter, singer Kim Joo-na.
Adding another layer to the controversy, Lee Sa-rang is also known as a co-founder of Gold Medalist, Kim Soo-hyun’s current agency.
Netizens’ Reactions
With the resurfacing of Dispatch’s expose in online communities, public sentiment toward Kim Soo-hyun has taken another hit.
Comments on theqoo:
- Back then, I thought I was tricked by him into filming it, but now it seems like he was just fulfilling his own fantasy.
- I found him suspicious from the start, but he was doing so well that I thought maybe I was wrong ㅋㅋㅋ
- Wait, so he’s not just a cousin but a half-brother?? And Kim Joo-na is his half-sister?? This is seriously so complicated ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
- Back then, I thought the actor was being used by his family after seeing the movie’s quality ㅋㅋ
- I turned it off because watching such a garbage movie just ruined my mood, but in the end, it was all about money. I just feel bad for the actresses.
- These guys are total scumbags.
As the controversy deepens, what was once dismissed as an ill-fated film project now appears to be a far more tangled web of hidden ties, financial schemes, and family secrets, leaving the public to question just how much of Kim Soo-hyun’s success has been shaped by forces behind the scenes.
