As of March 27, Garosero Research Institute (HoverLab) revealed indirect information about the alleged former girlfriends of actor Kim Soo Hyun—members who were reportedly center figures of girl groups—through a conversation between the late Kim Sae Ron’s friend and Lee Jin Ho, which took place the day before.

Garosero Research Institute stated that the KakaoTalk messages between late Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun, dated from June 22 to June 26, 2016, show clear signs of a romantic relationship. They claimed this serves as evidence against Kim Soo Hyun's assertion that he did not date Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor.

The Garosero Research Institute revealed a video showing Kim Soo Hyun filming a mannequin dressed in underwear in Paris and sending it to the late Kim Sae Ron. They stated that the video was inappropriate to send to a minor.

In the conversation with her friend, the Kim Sae Ron reportedly said that her relationship with Kim Soo Hyun was real and factual, but after posting an old photo of the two with their cheeks touching, she was unfairly labeled “crazy” online.

The friend expressed sympathy, saying it was indeed true that Kim Sae Ron had dated Kim Soo Hyun for six years while still a minor, and criticized her former agency, Gold Medalist, for demanding immediate repayment of 700 million KRW (approximately $532,000), calling it excessive.

On March 26, 2024, Kim Sae Ron reportedly replied to her friend with, “I want to die.” Included in the report were also messages she sent from the hospital after her self-harm incident on April 3.

In one message, Kim Sae Ron said, “My former agency told me to pay back 700 million KRW (approximately $532,000). They’re basically telling me to just kill myself. The contract was supposed to be 70:30, and they were supposed to pay 30% of the penalty, but they tricked me into paying 100%.” 

Her friend responded, “Kim Soo Hyun dated you for six years—he could at least help out. It's not 7 million (approximately $5,320), it's 700 million (approximately $532,000). This is something no human should do. Stay strong, Sae Ron.”

Garosero Research Institute also addressed claims made in Lee Jin Ho’s released recording, where it was alleged that Kim Sae Ron’s family neglected her and that her aunt was a fake. In response, they shared KakaoTalk messages between Kim Sae Ron and her aunt and mother, showing their loving and supportive relationship, calling the accusations against her family false and defamatory.

Kim Sae Ron reportedly received two formal demands for the 700 million KRW (approximately $532,000) and once tried to deliver a letter to Kim Soo Hyun at his home, but was blocked by apartment security, according to a friend who accompanied her.

Garosero Research Institute further revealed a letter that late Kim Sae Ron had written to ASTRO’s Moonbin following his death by suicide. In it, she wrote:

"Moonbin, I miss you. What should I say? I was also thinking about ending my life, and then I heard the news about you. I can only imagine how terrifying that decision must have been. I’m struggling every moment, wondering if I should follow you. If you're feeling lonely, please appear in my dreams."

Garosero Research Institute revealed that in the past, Kim Sae Ron, struggling after receiving a 700 million KRW (approximately $532,000) certification of contents from her former agency Gold Medalist, reached out to Kim Soo Hyun. However, they criticized him for giving those messages to Dispatch, calling it morally problematic.

Garosero Research Institute also criticized Dispatch journalist Kim So Jung—despite her reputation as an award-winning reporter—for including KakaoTalk messages in the article without Kim Sae Ron’s consent.

Garosero Research Institute also shared phone recordings between the late Kim Sae Ron’s mother, acquaintances, and Go Song Ah, the head of her new agency, Run Entertainment, after she left Gold Medalist. 

In these recordings, it was confirmed that Go Song Ah had paid for Kim Sae Ron’s hospital expenses after her self-harm, as she had not informed her family due to concern for their well-being. It was also suggested that Kwak Tae Young may have handed over these recordings to Gold Medalist, drawing criticism and sympathy for the bereaved family.

Finally, Garosero Research Institute stated that Kim Sae Ron's death on February 16, 2025—Kim Soo Hyun's birthday—was a result of the combined pressure from Dispatch, Kim Soo Hyun, and her former agency, Gold Medalist. 

Garosero Research Institute criticized Kim Soo Hyun for uploading photos celebrating his birthday with G-Dragon and the caption 'Good Day,' implying a lack of remorse.

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