On March 19, 2025, YouTuber Lee Jin Ho released a highly controversial video titled “The Truth Hidden by Late Kim Sae Ron’s Family,” igniting widespread debate and speculation. In the video, Lee addressed a lawsuit recently filed against him by the family of the late actress Kim Sae Ron, while unveiling a series of shocking claims about her personal life, including allegations of a secret marriage, a recorded conversation with her agency, and undisclosed details about her relationships and health struggles. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key points raised in Lee’s video and the surrounding controversy.
Lee Jin Ho Responds to Lawsuit and Denies Agency Influence
Lee Jin Ho began his video by addressing the legal action initiated by Kim Sae Ron’s family, emphasizing his willingness to take accountability.
“If I’m found at fault, I’ll apologize and take responsibility,” he stated.
He also tackled recent claims made by the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute, which alleged that Lee had created content about Kim Sae Ron under the direction of her former agency, Golden Medalist. Lee vehemently denied these accusations, asserting,
“I did not act under any instructions from Golden Medalist.”
Additionally, Lee refuted a claim that “over 100 media outlets were contacted about Kim Sae Ron’s situation, but none of them published an article.” Calling this assertion “false and misleading,” he urged viewers to question the credibility of such reports and promised to shed light on what he believes is the real story.
The Alleged Secret Marriage of Kim Sae Ron
The centerpiece of Lee Jin Ho’s video was his claim that Kim Sae Ron had been secretly married prior to her passing. As evidence, he pointed to a now-infamous Instagram post from January 8, captioned simply “Marry.” At the time, Kim had dismissed speculation about the post, explaining it was merely a photo taken with a friend. However, Lee challenged this narrative, alleging that the post hinted at a deeper truth.
To support his claim, Lee shared what he described as a recorded conversation between Kim Sae Ron and a representative from her agency. In the alleged exchange, the representative questioned Kim about the “Marry” post, asking, “What’s with that picture?” Kim reportedly replied, “My boyfriend posted it, not me.” The conversation escalated as the agency representative pressed her for clarity, saying, “Is he crazy? I’ve been denying this, so you need to give me a straight answer. He’s going to post it again, right? You’re coming back to Korea on the 10th, aren’t you?” Kim allegedly clarified, “I’m coming back to Korea on the 13th, so I’ll arrive on the 14th.”
The recording purportedly continued with the representative asking, “Where are you?” to which Kim replied, “My boyfriend lives in New York.” When directly asked if she was in a relationship or married, Kim allegedly confirmed, “Yes, we already got married overseas.” Lee presented this as definitive proof that Kim had tied the knot in secret, contradicting her earlier public statements.
Details of Kim’s Alleged Husband and Past Relationships
According to Lee, Kim Sae Ron’s husband was a corporate employee based in New York, whom she met through a mutual acquaintance. He claimed that this boyfriend had been managing her social media accounts, including her Instagram, and was responsible for posting the “Marry” caption without her full approval. The post was later deleted, but not before sparking curiosity among fans.
Lee also alleged that Kim had revealed details about a previous relationship with an ex-boyfriend, referred to only as ‘B,’ which ended due to unspecified “company issues.” More shockingly, he claimed that Kim had become pregnant with her current boyfriend but underwent an abortion, a decision that reportedly influenced their choice to marry. These revelations, if true, paint a complex picture of Kim’s personal life that had remained hidden from the public eye.
Medical Expenses and Family Involvement
Another startling claim from Lee Jin Ho involved Kim Sae Ron’s hospitalization following a suicide attempt. He alleged that her medical expenses exceeded 20 million KRW (approximately $15,000) and were not covered by her family, but rather by her agency. Lee called on Kim’s family to provide clarity on this matter, questioning their role and transparency in handling her affairs after her passing.
He further suggested that Kim’s family had raised concerns about her past relationship with actor Kim Soo Hyun, though he did not elaborate on the specifics. Lee emphasized that, regardless of past rumors, Kim had married her New York-based boyfriend in the United States, and he urged her family to address these discrepancies openly.
Public Reaction and Unanswered Questions
Lee Jin Ho’s video has sent shockwaves through social media and entertainment circles, drawing significant attention to the late actress’s private life. The allegations—ranging from a secret marriage to agency cover-ups—have fueled intense public interest and debate. However, neither Kim Sae Ron’s family nor her former agency, Golden Medalist, has issued an official response to Lee’s claims as of March 19, 2025.
