On March 17, 2025, the family of the late actress Kim Sae Ron held a press conference outside the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, shedding light on the controversial release of photos depicting her relationship with actor Kim Soo Hyun and the subsequent legal actions against YouTuber Lee. The emotionally charged event featured Lawyer Bu Ji Seok, the family’s legal representative from the law firm Buyou, alongside Kwon Young Chan, head of the Korea Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association, and Kim Se Ui, head of the YouTube channel HOVERLAB (Garo Sero Research Institute).
The press conference aimed to clarify the family’s decision to make the photos public and to address the defamation they allege exacerbated Kim Sae Ron’s distress before her passing.
A Family in Mourning: Why the Photos Were Released
Lawyer Bu opened the conference with a somber reflection on the family’s loss:
“A precious life has gone to heaven. Kim Sae Ron’s mother is bedridden from severe distress and couldn’t attend today. Her father, the sole breadwinner, has been working tirelessly and was also unable to be here.” The lawyer emphasized the family’s fragile state as they grapple with their grief.
The release of the photos, which captured moments from Kim Sae Ron’s relationship with Kim Soo Hyun, was not an act of malice, according to the family. Lawyer Bu explained,
“The bereaved family only wanted Kim Soo Hyun to acknowledge the relationship because it was critical to our lawsuit against YouTuber Lee. But the false statements from Kim Soo Hyun’s side have deepened their pain. We hope for a sincere apology even now.”
The backstory reveals a desperate plea from Kim Sae Ron herself. After receiving a legal notice from Kim Soo Hyun’s agency demanding repayment of 700 million KRW (~484,153 USD), she reportedly sent a message to Kim Soo Hyun saying,
“Please save me.”
When she received no response, she posted the photos on social media in a bid to get his attention. The family asserts this was a cry for help, not a publicity stunt.
Lawsuit Against YouTuber Lee: Defamation and Evidence Tampering Allegations
Central to the press conference was the family’s legal action against YouTuber Lee, whom they accuse of defaming Kim Sae Ron. Lawyer Bu stated,
“Lee called the photos a ‘fabrication’ and a ‘self-made romance,’ painting Kim Sae Ron as delusional. This defamation left us no choice but to sue. Furthermore, Lee deleted videos about her after her death, which we see as an attempt to destroy evidence.”
The family contends that Lee’s portrayal of Kim Sae Ron as a “delusional woman” not only tarnished her memory but also contributed to the public narrative that pushed her into further distress. The deletion of videos post-mortem has only fueled their determination to seek justice.
Kim Soo Hyun’s Legal Notices: A Source of “Unfathomable Anguish”
The press conference also highlighted the role of Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, in the unfolding tragedy. Lawyer Bu detailed how the agency issued two legal notices to Kim Sae Ron. The first demanded repayment of the aforementioned 700 million KRW, citing a breach of duty. After her unanswered plea for help, a second notice followed, explicitly warning her not to contact Kim Soo Hyun or other actors from the agency and threatening legal action over the photos.
“It’s impossible to fathom the mental anguish she endured from these notices,” Lawyer Bu said. “She was cut off from Kim Soo Hyun and others she once relied on. Yet now, his side claims they’re waiting for the family to reach out. This is incomprehensible to us.”
The family is now considering legal action against Kim Soo Hyun and his agency for their role in her suffering.
Conflicting Narratives: HOVERLAB vs. Gold Medalist
Adding complexity to the situation, HOVERLAB has alleged that Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun were in a relationship for six years, beginning when she was 15. This claim has stirred significant controversy, prompting a response from Gold Medalist. The agency countered,
“They dated when she was an adult, and the allegations about the debt are inaccurate. Who benefits from exposing private matters without consent?”
This discrepancy has left the public questioning the timeline and nature of the relationship, as well as the motivations behind the escalating legal and media battles.
A Call for Accountability and Healing
The press conference concluded with a poignant plea from Kim Sae Ron’s family for accountability and closure. They expressed frustration over the lack of empathy shown by Kim Soo Hyun’s side and the damage inflicted by YouTuber Lee’s statements. As they pursue legal recourse, their primary goal appears to be preserving Kim Sae Ron’s dignity and ensuring her story is told truthfully.
For now, the bereaved family waits for answers—and, perhaps, an apology that might begin to mend their broken hearts.
