This issue tracks the public dispute and legal proceedings that followed the 2025 death of actress Kim Sae-ron, after her family and the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute alleged that actor Kim Soo-hyun had dated her while she was a minor. Kim Soo-hyun's side said the two had dated only after Kim Sae-ron became an adult and denied the allegation that their relationship began while she was a minor. Criminal complaints, civil lawsuits and investigations into recordings and messaging records presented during the dispute followed. Kim Se-ui, head of Garo Sero Institute, was later detained and indicted on charges including disseminating allegedly false information about Kim Soo-hyun. In 2026, police declined to refer Kim Soo-hyun for prosecution on alleged Child Welfare Act violations and false accusation due to insufficient evidence, after which he resumed official activities through overseas advertising and television appearances.
18 events · 51 sources · Updated 36 days ago
Police decided not to refer to prosecutors allegations against Kim Soo-hyun involving the Child Welfare Act and false accusation that had been raised by Kim Sae-ron's family and others, citing insufficient evidence. The decision was a police disposition at the investigative stage and is distinct from a court acquittal.
Kim Se-ui, who had been indicted while in detention, requested a jury trial, leading the court to postpone the scheduled first hearing. As Kim Se-ui contests the prosecution's case, no final determination of guilt or innocence has yet been made.
Kim Soo-hyun appeared on a live anniversary broadcast by an Indonesian television network, marking his first official public appearance in roughly 17 months. It was his first confirmed major broadcast appearance after he had effectively suspended public activities amid the controversy.
The Seoul Eastern District Court was reported to have dismissed a claim by Mido seeking roughly KRW 570 million in advertising-contract payments from Gold Medalist, the agency of Kim Soo-hyun. The ruling concerns this specific first-instance dispute with Mido and should not be extended to separate lawsuits involving other advertisers.
StarNews reported that prosecutors reviewed the case file concerning alleged Child Welfare Act violations and false accusation by Kim Soo-hyun and returned it to police without requesting supplementary or renewed investigation. Because this information comes from media reporting rather than a cited official prosecution announcement, it should be used as supporting evidence for the current case status.