As the controversy surrounding the late actress Kim Sae-ron and actor Kim Soo-hyun continues, a new report claims that Kim Sae-ron was also in a relationship with a famous idol member during high school—directly overlapping with the timeline when her family alleges she dated Kim Soo-hyun.
According to sources, Kim Sae-ron dated the idol in 2018, briefly broke up in 2019, and reconnected with him in 2022, during a period when she was experiencing financial hardship. The idol reportedly lent her a large sum of money and was introduced to others as her boyfriend. The two officially ended their relationship in early 2023.
The new revelations further complicate the narrative, which already includes conflicting claims about overlapping partners, unverifiable text messages, and disputed photo evidence. While Kim Sae-ron’s family insists she dated Kim Soo-hyun from 2015 to 2021, critics now question the accuracy and intent behind their timeline.
Korean Reactions: “She dated everyone, blamed one”
Korean netizens have become increasingly critical, both toward the family’s claims and the media circus that followed. Many expressed frustration over the credibility of the timeline and sympathized with Kim Soo-hyun, who has faced intense scrutiny despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
Top Korean Comments (Source : Nate)
“I’m not even a Kim Soo-hyun fan, but this whole story always smelled fishy. Why did people believe Gaseyeon and Kwon Young Chan so easily?” (👍 2,682 / 👎 561)
“Gaseyeon’s credibility is dead. The family is no better.” (👍 2,576 / 👎 485)
“Forget the timeline—how many guys did she date?” (👍 2,312 / 👎 1,071)
“The parents ruined their daughter’s name more than anyone else.” (👍 417 / 👎 73)
“So she had a boyfriend and even a ‘husband’? This is a mess.” (👍 335 / 👎 62)
“No one cares when it’s time to clarify the facts. Kim Soo-hyun got dragged unfairly.” (👍 333 / 👎 88)
“Why was Kim Soo-hyun blamed for everything? What did he even do wrong?” (👍 303 / 👎 97)
Global Reactions: “She’s gone—let her rest”
International reactions reflected fatigue, skepticism, and criticism—especially toward those who continued to expose intimate details of Kim Sae-ron’s life after her death. Many questioned the motives of her family and YouTube whistleblowers.
Top Global Comments (Source : allkpop)
“This is so upsetting. Instead of restoring her honor, her family made this into a circus. They handed her devices to scammers.” (👍 28)
“Let the woman rest in peace.” (👍 15)
“They already hinted she was texting someone else. Kim Soo-hyun even questioned the age mismatch.” (👍 13)
“So many details… and none of them needed to be made public. She’s not here to explain herself.” (👍 12)
“This plot makes no sense anymore—three idol exes, a Chinese president, and an American husband? Come on.” (👍 12)
“If the family had real evidence, they would’ve used it instead of media drama.” (👍 11)
“KSH wasn’t given privacy—now neither is she. It’s tragic.” (👍 10 / 👎 1)
“How did the family miss her dating an idol for 4 years when she introduced him to everyone?” (👍 10)
Cultural Reflection: Grief, Scandal, and the Limits of Sympathy
This scandal has shifted from seeking truth to revealing the costs of public exposure.
In Korea, where honor and reputation are taken seriously, the family’s inconsistent timeline and alliance with controversial YouTubers backfired—leading to public backlash instead of sympathy. The “more they revealed,” the less credible they appeared.
Internationally, commenters expressed more fatigue than anger. Their concern wasn’t about timelines—it was about how someone’s legacy was being shattered after death, largely through public spectacle.
What began as an accusation has turned into a spectacle. And with no one left to defend themselves, the damage is permanent—for everyone involved.