The family of the late actor Kim Sae-ron has lodged a formal complaint with the police against YouTuber Lee Jin Ho, accusing him of disseminating false information regarding her previous relationship with actor Kim Soo Hyun.

Kim Sae-Ron's family takes action

According to a report by Soompi, a press conference was convened on March 17 at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The event featured Bu Ji Seok, the legal representative for Kim Sae-ron’s family, Kwon Young Chan, director of the Korea Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association, and Kim Se Eui, head of HoverLab Inc.

During the press conference, Kim Se Eui stated, “This event signifies the initiation of our first lawsuit, and we will persist in pursuing legal action from this moment onward.” He emphasized the demand for a public apology from Kim Soo Hyun.

The statement expressed, “While we wish to file charges for murder, we recognize that defamation does not legally equate to murder. Nonetheless, we sincerely hope that the connection between the deceased's passing and YouTuber Lee Jin Ho’s spread of false information will be thoroughly considered in the sentencing, resulting in the most severe punishment possible.”

It further asserted, “On March 24, 2024, the deceased shared a photo with her former partner Kim Soo Hyun due to receiving a notice for debt repayment from his agency. In an effort to avoid involving Kim Soo Hyun in this matter, she attempted to reach out to him. When she received no response, she briefly posted the photo, hoping it would encourage him to respond. However, YouTuber Lee Jin Ho, for reasons unknown, not only denied the existence of a past romantic relationship between the deceased and Kim Soo Hyun but also propagated false narratives that painted her in a negative light, suggesting she was unusual or problematic. This led to significant mental distress for the deceased, ultimately resulting in her tragic decision.”

Currently, the family of the deceased is requesting understanding regarding the need to disclose her past relationship with Kim Soo Hyun to counter the falsehoods propagated by YouTuber Lee Jin Ho.

During a press conference, the legal team also addressed issues concerning Kim Soo Hyun, stating that his "repeated false statements have inflicted additional pain on the grieving family." They expressed hope that he would extend a "sincere apology."

They indicated that they are considering possible legal actions against Kim Soo Hyun and his representatives.

What we know about the controversy

Kim Sae-ron, aged 24, was discovered deceased at her residence on February 16, with her funeral taking place on February 19. Authorities have classified her death as a suicide. In 2022, she garnered media attention due to DUI charges, for which she issued an apology. However, she faced severe backlash and harassment on social media.

Currently, there are claims that Kim Soo Hyun was in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron for several years while he was in his 30s and she was still a minor. Initially, his agency denied any romantic involvement, but later acknowledged it after personal photographs and letters surfaced. They, however, refuted claims that they dated while she was underage. Additionally, he has been accused of pressuring her to "repay a penalty of 700 million won (approximately $481,200)," which his agency has denied.

The ongoing lawsuit stems from the family's frustration with Lee Jin Ho's continuous dissemination of defamatory content about Kim Sae-ron on his YouTube channel. The family asserts that his videos contain misleading and inaccurate information, which has adversely affected Kim Sae-ron’s career, mental health, and personal life.

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