The controversy surrounding actor Kim Soo-hyun deepened as new information emerged.
According to recent Korean media reports, Kim Soo-hyun was in a relationship with an idol-turned-actress, “A,” from around 2016 to the spring of 2019—during his military service.
This contradicts the previous claim from Kim Sae-ron’s side, which alleged that Kim and Kim Sae-ron were dating from late 2015 to mid-2021.
Industry insiders pointed out that Kim’s relationship with “A” was an open secret at the time and that it would have been impossible for him to be romantically involved with Kim Sae-ron simultaneously.
The debate continues: Was Kim Sae-ron’s letter detailing a 6-year relationship fabricated or misremembered?
Kim Soo-hyun, for his part, has filed lawsuits for defamation and false information leaks, further complicating public opinion.
Korean Reaction: “Two-timing or not, focus on the real issue.”
Korean netizens were sharply divided.
Some mocked Kim Soo-hyun for allegedly dating two women at once, while others insisted that the real issue remained the suspicion of him dating a minor.
Top Korean Comments (Source : Nate)
“Was he seriously dating two women at once? 😂” (👍 3,928 / 👎 873)
“Two-timing confirmed?” (👍 3,423 / 👎 662)
“Don’t get distracted. The issue is he allegedly dated a minor.” (👍 3,129 / 👎 588)
“He had a girlfriend during military service? Wow.” (👍 330 / 👎 95)
“Weekend trolls are working overtime lol.” (👍 278 / 👎 67)
“Is this article suggesting two-timing? Clarify.” (👍 273 / 👎 85)
“What about Kim Sae-ron’s handwritten letter mentioning 6 years? How do you explain that?” (👍 235 / 👎 78)
“You saw her letter and still deny it?” (👍 223 / 👎 36)
Although the narrative shifted, many pointed out that the heart of the scandal—whether there was an inappropriate relationship with a minor—remains unresolved.
Global Response: “New info, but public distrust remains.”
International audiences showed mixed reactions, but skepticism was strong.
While some acknowledged that the timeline presented logical contradictions to the earlier claims, others criticized both sides for inconsistencies and misinformation.
Top Global Comments (Source : allkpop)
“It’s well-known that Kim dated an idol-actress between 2017–2019. Why hide it for months?” (👍 29 / 👎 2)
“Everyone has the right to defend themselves. This whole situation is messy and mishandled by both sides.” (👍 21 / 👎 4)
“If he can prove he was dating someone else, then he has the evidence. But people just want him to be guilty no matter what.” (👍 13 / 👎 4)
“Can we think rationally? No proof shows they dated before 2019.” (👍 13 / 👎 1)
“Reliable insiders confirmed the relationship with another actress. It’s not ‘alleged’—it’s confirmed.” (👍 13)
“It’s probably Ahn So-hee. There were old rumors about them too.” (👍 10 / 👎 1)
“Even if he dated both, it’s easy to manipulate a minor and hide it from another girlfriend.” (👍 9 / 👎 12)
“Dating two people at once is not impossible, lol. Another dumb article trying to defend him.” (👍 7 / 👎 12)
Many international fans were more focused on the lack of clear evidence and the media’s role in fueling the controversy without solid facts.
Cultural Takeaway: Distrust Runs Deeper Than Facts
The heated reactions both in Korea and abroad reflect a bigger problem: public trust has already eroded.
In Korea, once suspicions of immorality surface, even later evidence struggles to reverse public opinion. Perception is often more powerful than truth.
Globally, audiences are skeptical not only of celebrities but of the media itself—demanding more evidence, but also quickly resorting to cynicism.
At this point, the real battle may not be about proving innocence or guilt.
It’s about whether Kim Soo-hyun can ever regain credibility in a world where the first impression often becomes the lasting verdict.