Actor Kim Soo Hyun has recently been embroiled in controversy following accusations that he dated the late Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor. Alleged evidence of their relationship has surfaced, further fueling the debate.

On March 17, a photo originally shared by a Kim Sae Ron fan in 2017 resurfaced online. In the image, Kim Sae Ron is seen standing in front of an elevator, wearing a black long padded jacket. Behind her, a person presumed to be Kim Soo Hyun is seen wearing a red padded jacket while holding an object in their hand.

The individual is facing the elevator, making it difficult to conclusively identify them. However, fans reacted with comments such as, "Just from the ears and head shape, this looks like Kim Soo Hyun. If you’re a fan, you’d recognize him right away," "Kim Soo Hyun will continue to be in the spotlight for a long time," and "I heard Sae Ron went around with her mom without a manager at that time... It seems like that’s him, but there’s a slight chance it could be someone else."

Earlier, Kim Soo Hyun was accused of dating Kim Sae Ron—who was 12 years younger than him—starting in 2015. At the time, Kim Sae Ron was still a minor, leading to discussions about Kim Soo Hyun’s alleged involvement in a possible "grooming" scandal.

Although Kim Soo Hyun initially denied the rumors, the continued release of photos and mounting public pressure led to an official statement. On March 14, he acknowledged that he had been in a relationship with Kim Sae Ron, but only after she had become an adult.

Kim Soo Hyun's agency also released a statement, saying, "Early this morning, Kim Soo Hyun displayed signs of severe emotional distress, and we have taken steps to ensure he is able to rest and recover."

Following this, Kim Sae Ron’s family expressed their anger toward both Kim Soo Hyun and YouTuber Lee Jin Ho, demanding an apology.