The family of the late Kim Sae-ron, who have been expressing their stance through the YouTube channel ‘Horizontal Vertical Research Center’ (GaSeYeon), pleaded that their intention is not to harm Kim Soo-hyun but to clarify the truth. On the 11th, GaSeYeon shared a photo of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron together during a live broadcast and conveyed the family’s position.
In the broadcast, a photo of Kim Soo-hyun kissing Kim Sae-ron’s cheek was revealed, drawing attention. The photo was reportedly taken on the same day as another controversial photo that Kim Sae-ron had posted and then deleted from social media last March. GaSeYeon claimed that Kim Sae-ron was 16 years old, in her third year of middle school, at the time the photo was taken, which caused shock. Previously, GaSeYeon had alleged, based on family statements, that Kim Sae-ron had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun since she was 15 for six years.
The broadcast also disclosed a text message Kim Sae-ron sent to Kim Soo-hyun after receiving a certification of content from her former agency, Gold Medalist, asking her to repay the penalty fees. In the message, Kim pleaded with Kim Soo-hyun for more time, explaining her efforts to prepare for her comeback and her willingness to pay back gradually through her works, as she couldn’t repay the demanded 700 million won immediately. However, it was reported that Kim Soo-hyun did not respond to the message.
Additionally, an interview with Kim Sae-ron’s mother and aunt was made public. The aunt emphasized that their intention was not to attack Kim Soo-hyun but to correct falsehoods spread about Kim Sae-ron by YouTuber Lee Jin-ho, who claimed the photo was fabricated. She stressed that their family had not tampered with any information and only wanted to reveal the truth.
Kim Sae-ron’s mother stated the reason for revisiting her late daughter’s memory is to restore her tarnished honor due to false news, not to gain anything or create discord. She wished for her daughter to be remembered and honored as an actor during her lifetime, not as a topic of gossip.
Despite GaSeYeon’s new revelations, Kim Soo-hyun’s side has not released an additional statement. Initially, when GaSeYeon made their first claims, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, declared them to be an intolerable falsehood and planned strong legal action against them. In response, GaSeYeon said on their YouTube channel’s bulletin board that their broadcast was based on materials and interviews received directly from Kim Sae-ron’s family, challenging Gold Medalist to go ahead with legal actions against the family as well.
Public opinion seems inclined towards GaSeYeon’s claims. While Kim Soo-hyun’s side previously distanced themselves by stating they were just colleagues with the deceased, the release of the cheek kiss photo has amplified demands for further explanation.