Hoverlab (Garo Sero Research Institute) released more evidence of Kim Soo Hyun dating the late Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor.

The controversy first surfaced when Hoverlab alleged that Kim Soo Hyun had dated Kim Sae Ron for six years since she was 15. The YouTube channel also claimed that Kim Soo Hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist, had imposed an unfair penalty on Kim Sae Ron, pressuring her to repay the debt with certified letters. According to Hoverlab, Kim Sae Ron attempted to get in contact with Kim Soo Hyun to no avail. Hoverlab claimed that Kim Soo Hyun had ignored Kim Sae Ron's calls and messages, which prompted the actress to borrow her cousin's phone number to try to reach him. However, that phone number was handed over to reporters instead. That is why she posted the photo of herself with Kim Soo Hyun in 2024, to get a response.

On April 2, Hoverlab revealed Kim Sae Ron's KakaoTalk messages with that cousin. In the conversation, the cousin explained to Kim Sae Ron that another reporter had called, to which Kim Sae Ron responded, "Don't pick up."

In the conversation between Kim Sae Ron and the cousin, Kim Sae Ron wrote that she had been dating Kim Soo Hyun starting 2015 November to 2021 July.

Kim Sae Ron and the cousin's conversation:

Cousin: While I was on the phone with you

*capture of missed call from reporter*

Cousin: They called again

Kim Sae Ron: Don't pick up, please.

Cousin: Ok ok

Cousin: They published that you're currently organizing your statement

Cousin: I just saw after ending work.

Kim Sae Ron: Nope

Kim Sae Ron: That's wrong reporting

Kim Sae Ron: "Hello, this is Kim Sae Ron.

First of all, I sincerely apologize to everyone who has experienced harm and confusion due to my shortcomings, as well as to the broadcasting officials involved.

The dating rumors that have been reported earlier were stated to be false in the articles, but I want to make it absolutely clear that those reports were not the truth.

The photo uploaded to my Story was taken in 2016. However, the relationship lasted from November 19, 2015, to July 7, 2021."

Kim Sae Ron revealed she was writing a refute statement regarding Gold Medalist's claim, denying that Kim Soo Hyun had dated Kim Sae Ron. At the time, Gold Medalist stated, "The current dating rumors involving Kim Soo Hyun are groundless. The photos circulating online appear to have been taken when they belonged to the same agency in the past, and the intentions behind Kim Sae Ron's actions are entirely unclear."

However, Kim Sae Ron's statement sent to the cousin revealed a different story.

Kim Sae Ron: "At the time, I was 16 years old, and the other person was 30. That is how our six-year relationship came to an end.

Since I was an actress from the beginning, I was looking into agencies as my contract renewal season approached. While discussing a contract with my former partner’s agency, I ultimately signed with Gold Medalist, without fully considering the contract terms and conditions. I worked not only as an actress but also participated in rookie casting and visual directing. However, I never received any fair compensation for my work.

Kim Sae Ron: "Unlike my previous agency’s contract renewal, I signed a contract renewal confirmation in exchange for financial terms. When the time for renewal came, I attempted to contact both my agency and Kim Soo Hyun, but all communication was cut off. Later, I was informed that my contract had not been renewed, and I was given a notarized certificate of confirmation regarding the breach of contract.

Thus, my exclusive contract with Gold Medalist ended in May 2022. Because of this issue, I sincerely apologize to the drama officials, the many staff members who worked hard, senior actors unrelated to the incident, as well as the writers, directors, and everyone who contributed to the projects."

Kim Sae Ron: "However, Gold Medalist's recent statement that they "have no idea about the intent" behind this is completely inconsistent with their own actions. I hope they acknowledge the harm I suffered while at the company and take responsibility for their wrongdoings.

As an actress, I believe it is necessary to reveal the truth when someone is being consumed by the public with a distorted image. That is why I am sharing this statement."

Kim Sae Ron: I just wrote it though

Cousin: lol

Kim Sae Ron: Son of a b****h

Cousin: Good... I think there's a typo in paragraph 4.

Kim Sae Ron: Ok ok thanks

Cousin: It's so ridiculous how they passed my number over.

Kim Sae Ron: I know lol

Cousin: Then are you going to polish the statement to release later?

Kim Sae Ron: I'm not releasing it

Kim Sae Ron: I just wrote it.

Cousin: Oh, I see.

Cousin: Medalist or whatnot, I am praying they flop and go under.

Kim Sae Ron: Me too.

In the statement that Kim Sae Ron wrote, she clearly revealed the date when she started dating Kim Soo Hyun. 

With the latest revelation from Hoverlab, Korean netizens' public sentiment continues to bend. They commented:

"I feel so bad for Kim Sae Ron."

"Star Kim Soo Hyun, you need to stop."

"Kim Soo Hyun's side was asking for the original. I wonder what they'll say after they see this."

"This was a losing game. He should've stopped. They have Kim Sae Ron's statement..."

"Sae Ron..."

"I feel so sad for Kim Sae Ron."

"I don't get why he doesn't just admit it. There's so much proof."

"The truth will be revealed no matter how hard he cries."

"So basically, they made her look like the liar before. But it was all true."

"Dang. He is still lying even if there's clear evidence that he dated her when she was a minor."

"She said herself they were dating since 2015..."

"He's trash."

"He needs to stop..."

"Even till the end. He's making her suffer..."

"How much more do they need to show for him to admit this?"

"Sae Ron stated herself the period they were dating. Why is he keep denying this?"

"Does he not understand that denying they were dating is more wrong?... "

SEE ALSO: Late Kim Sae Ron's family share the touching letter left by a journalist