This article is part of our coverage of Kim Soo Hyun And Kim Sae Ron’s Relationship. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.
On March 20, 2025, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency GOLD MEDALIST announced that they have filed criminal suits against both the operator of Garo Sero Research Institute, and Kim Sae Ron’s family.
“GOLD MEDALIST, as the agency managing actor Kim Soo Hyun, has filed a criminal complaint against Kim Sae Eui, the operator of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute (hereinafter referred to as “Garo Sero”), who posted a photo of actor Kim Soo Hyun taken with his pants down during a live broadcast on his YouTube channel today. The criminal complaint is also pertaining to the bereaved family of the late actress Kim Sae Ron and an unidentified individual claiming to be Kim Sae Ron’s aunt, who allegedly provided the photo to Kim Sae Eui, leading him to post it.”
The suit refers to the alleged photo of Kim Soo Hyun at Kim Sae Ron’s house.
According to the company, revealing the photo was an act of sexual harassment.
“The charges include violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (distribution of footage filmed using cameras, etc.).
As stated in our previous statement, GOLD MEDALIST is deeply saddened by the passing of the late actress Kim Sae Ron, who was once part of our agency, and we continue to mourn the loss. However, the photo of actor Kim Soo Hyun posted on Garo Sero’s channel was taken during a period when Kim Soo Hyun and an adult Kim Sae Ron were in a relationship. The photo contains an image of Kim Soo Hyun’s body that could cause him sexual humiliation, and it is a photo that should neither be made public nor has any reason to be disclosed. Posting such a photo on a YouTube channel is clearly a criminal act, and Garo Sero has been threatening Kim Soo Hyun by stating their intention to continue releasing similar photos. Therefore, GOLD MEDALIST is left with no choice but to take strong legal action against such behavior.”
They further threaten legal action.
“The act of distributing or publicly displaying footage of another person’s body, which may provoke sexual desire or humiliation, without the subject’s consent, is a serious crime. We hope such actions will not be repeated.
Furthermore, the false information spread by the bereaved family of the late Kim Sae Ron and Garo Sero through broadcasts and other channels continues to rapidly spread across the internet, fueling baseless rumors. Out of respect for the sudden passing of the late Kim Sae Ron, we had refrained from taking legal action against her family. However, the unauthorized distribution of a photo containing the body of actor Kim Soo Hyun is a grave matter that cannot be overlooked, and due to concerns about future repetitions of such conduct, we have inevitably proceeded with filing a complaint against Kim Sae Ron’s family as well. Should the bereaved family of the late Kim Sae Ron and Garo Sero persist in spreading false information, we will be left with no choice but to take comprehensive legal action to protect the honor of our agency and actor.”
Previously, the company had denied that he had ever visited Kim Sae Ron’s house. You can read more about it here.
Full Translation Of Statement By Kim Soo Hyun’s Agency In Response To Kim Sae Ron’s Family’s Press Conference
