The family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron revealed chat messages between her and actor Kim Soo-hyun in 2016 to boost claims that he dated her when she was a minor.
Kim Sae-ron was found dead last Feb. 16, Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday.
Previously, Kim Sae-ron’s family presented a statement prepared by the actress last year, claiming that her relationship with Kim Soo-hyun was from 2015 to 2021.
Kim Soo-hyun kissing Kim Sae-ron (Screenshots from HoverLab videos on YouTube)
Kim Soo-hyun admitted he dated her but emphasized that it was when she was already an adult from 2019 to 2020.
On March 27, YouTube channel HoverLab (Garosero Research Institute) and lawyer Bu Ji-seok, who is representing KIm Sae-ron’s family, held a press conference and presented evidence for the claim.
The lawyer presented KakaoTalk chat messages exchanged between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron in June 2016 when she was 15.
In the messages, Kim Sae-ron told Kim Soo-hyun, “[You] never wake up,” to which he said, “Yes, I wouldn’t know even if you kissed me,” the Korea JoongAng Daily reported.
Kim Soo-hyun told her, “When can I fall asleep with you in my arms? I’ll really get a good night’s sleep then,” to which she replied, “I’ll do it whenever I want.”
The lawyer said Kim Soo-hyun should apologize to Kim Kim Sae-ron’s family.
“You can see in the KakaoTalk chat that it implies more than just cuddling. If they weren’t dating, then I would like to ask Kim Soo-hyun myself, what relationship they had. If [Kim Soo-hyun] keeps saying that he didn’t date her as a minor, then did he sexually groom her? Do we need to take more measures?” the lawyer told the media.
The lawyer also answered accusations by Kim Sae-ron’s former boyfriend.
“There are rumors going around that the family revealed that the two dated to get money. How could a mother remain uninterested if her daughter had hurt herself? [Kim Sae-ron’s] mother had always cared for her since she was young. We cannot understand why [the former boyfriend] is suddenly speaking out with false words. I would like to speak to his lawyer. You should clarify why he is lying or we will take legal measures,” said Bu.
The family filed a defamation complaint against YouTuber Lee Jin-ho for videos about the actress while Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, filed a complaint against her family.