On March 31, actor Kim Soo-hyun held a tearful press conference to address allegations surrounding his past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron. Denying claims of grooming, emotional negligence, and involvement in her tragic situation, Kim emphasized that their relationship began when she was an adult and that they had long lost contact.
In the aftermath, the family of the late singer-actress Sulli released a public statement expressing distress over renewed attention toward Sulli’s nude scene in the 2017 film Real, which co-starred Kim Soo-hyun. They questioned the decision-making process behind the scene — especially the lack of clarity about the script, the absence of a stunt double, and why the shoot went ahead at all.
Although they admitted it’s hard to directly link Sulli’s emotional stress to Kim Soo-hyun or the film, they hoped their statement would raise awareness and prevent further harm to other actors. They also suggested that director Lee Jung-sub, who was replaced during post-production, might hold the key to what really happened.
Korean Netizens React: Skeptical and Frustrated
Korean netizens showed little sympathy toward the timing of the family’s statement. Many believed it was opportunistic and unrelated to the current case involving Kim Sae-ron.
Top Korean Comments (Source : Nate)
“If Sulli’s brother has evidence, go to the police. Collect proof from the agency or manager, hire a lawyer.” (👍 918 / 👎 59)
“I didn’t expect anything, and it was exactly what I expected.” (👍 736 / 👎 62)
“The Korean entertainment industry really is like Squid Game. When will this end?” (👍 735 / 👎 32)
“Honestly, this feels like attention-seeking, using his sister at the right moment.” (👍 66 / 👎 29)
“Why show up now? If there’s an issue, gather evidence and file a lawsuit.” (👍 59 / 👎 11)
“What does Sulli’s brother even have to do with this?” (👍 49 / 👎 13)
“Why is this guy doing this now? If he felt wronged, he should’ve spoken back then.” (👍 47 / 👎 17)
“Let the courts handle this now. That’s the only way to get clarity.” (👍 45 / 👎 4)
Global Reactions: Protective of Sulli, Focused on Timing
International responses were more sympathetic but also wary of the timing. While some supported the family’s right to speak out, others felt that invoking Sulli in a separate scandal did more harm than good.
Top Global Comments (Source : allkpop)
“I really wish Sulli could be left out of this. Let’s handle one issue at a time — this is about Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun.” (👍 16)
“So they can’t confirm it was the movie or Kim Soo-hyun, but still bring it up now? This feels off. Direct your energy at the director or production staff.” (👍 12 / 👎 1)
“Isn’t this just the brother’s old comments dressed up as ‘family concerns’?” (👍 6)
“I remember her being hated for not wearing a bra, not because of the movie. Let women wear what they want.” (👍 5)
“Why are they trying to shift focus from Kim Sae-ron’s tragedy to Sulli now? It feels like they’re hijacking attention.” (👍 5 / 👎 1)
“Alec06 needs to write better articles. This isn’t it.” (👍 4)
“Please let Sulli rest in peace. She faced hate long before Real, for being herself.” (👍 2)
Analysis: Timing, Legacy, and Public Boundaries
This controversy highlights a recurring conflict in Korean entertainment — how far the public should go in reviving past pain to demand accountability in the present.
Korean netizens focused on legal responsibility and timing, expressing fatigue with what they saw as attention-seeking. The lack of new evidence or legal action left many unconvinced.
International reactions leaned toward protecting Sulli’s memory, with some criticizing the media and others questioning whether her name should be included at all in a separate issue. The debate over whether this was advocacy or exploitation continues.
Ultimately, both sides agree on one point: Sulli deserved better — in life and in remembrance.