Actor Kim Soo-hyun's side has once again released materials refuting allegations of underage dating with Kim Sae-ron. There is a tense standoff between Kim Soo-hyun and the bereaved family (including Kim Sae-ron) over the timing of when they were 'dating.' While only the two of them know the truth of their relationship, it is necessary to clearly confirm the facts now that legal battles have commenced.
Kim Soo-hyun's side has filed additional complaints against the Garosero Research Institute (Gaseyeon, operated by Kim Se-yi) for violating the Stalking Punishment Act. In materials distributed alongside this, Kim Soo-hyun's side reiterated that while it is true that Kim Sae-ron appeared in videos and messages from 2018 during her underage years, they were not in a romantic relationship. Kim Soo-hyun's side emphasized, "Furthermore, the gold medalist has refuted all the false claims (that actor Kim Soo-hyun dated the late actor Kim Sae-ron since her underage years) that Gaseyeon has continuously asserted, but Gaseyeon continues to disseminate falsehoods based on manipulated evidence and photos. The gold medalist clarifies that the claims about Kim Soo-hyun dating the late Kim Sae-ron since her underage years are definitely not true". It also added, "The gold medalist plans to respond strictly to Gaseyeon's criminal acts of disseminating false information in the future." Along with that, Kim Soo-hyun's side also released a rebuttal document regarding the claims made by Gaseyeon involving photos and videos. The accompanying documents include 11 photos (including video captures). All but 2 of the photos previously released by Gaseyeon were taken when Kim Sae-ron was 20 years old and underage.
So what are the things that were acknowledged to have been taken in 2018? It is a video known as the 'soju date,' showing Kim Sae-ron preparing tteokbokki for Kim Soo-hyun in a space visible from the house, where Kim Soo-hyun is seen eating it. Gaseyeon questioned, "What do you think a man would do drinking soju with a minor at 11:20 p.m.?"
In response, Kim Soo-hyun's side acknowledged, "It is correct that it was filmed in June 2018," but claimed, "The location is the APT. in Seongsu-dong where Kim Soo-hyun lives with his family. Kim Sae-ron visited during Kim Soo-hyun's vacation, and Kim Soo-hyun's family was also present. At that time, the two were not in a romantic relationship."
Another document appears to show KakaoTalk messages exchanged between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron while Kim Soo-hyun was on vacation from military service. In the KakaoTalk, Kim Sae-ron expresses her disappointment at not being able to contact or meet Kim Soo-hyun, and Kim Soo-hyun responds, "I was wrong."
In response to this, Gaseyeon claimed, "This is behavior typical of a man having an affair," while Kim Soo-hyun's side acknowledged, "It is true that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron exchanged KakaoTalk messages," but clarified that "In April 2018, I went on a two-week vacation and exchanged messages on KakaoTalk but did not meet. At that time, we were not in a romantic relationship and began dating after the summer of 2019."
The public is feeling even more confusion regarding Kim Soo-hyun's position. Even if they did not date, it is possible to visit each other's homes and feel sad about not meeting, but according to the letter left by Kim Sae-ron and the bereaved family's claims, Kim Sae-ron thought they were in a romantic relationship at that time (the bereaved family first disclosed the dating period as Nov. 19, 2015, to Jul. 7, 2021).
Who is telling the truth? Was it a case of conflicting dreams between the two? If Kim Soo-hyun's assertion is correct, did he share a deep friendship with the underage Kim Sae-ron without crossing the line, or was it an inappropriate romantic involvement? Some voices suggest that if each of their claims holds true from their perspectives, the meaning of 'dating' may differ for the two. The differing stances on what constitutes a 'dating relationship' always exist in male-female relationships, but in this case, it is true that careful attention must be paid since one party is a minor. The fact that Kim Soo-hyun's side acknowledged the 2018 photos and videos yet rebutted, "We did not date," has made the clarification of the 'romantic relationship' even more significant in this incident.
Meanwhile, the court for the damages lawsuit that Kim Soo-hyun filed against the bereaved family of the late Kim Sae-ron and the YouTube channel 'Garosero Research Institute' was assigned on the 1st. According to the legal field, the Seoul Central District Court has assigned the damages claim lawsuit filed by Kim Soo-hyun's side to Director General Jeong Ha-jeong of the Civil Division 14. Kim Soo-hyun's side had stated in a press conference held on the 31st of last month that they filed a lawsuit amounting to 12 billion won, but the amount officially submitted to the court is 11 billion won.
Meanwhile, eight acquaintances of Kim Sae-ron prepared a statement. The TV Chosun program 'Incident File 24' broadcast on the 1st reported that quoting the bereaved family's lawyer, "We were hoping for a sincere apology from Kim Soo-hyun, but it is disappointing that there has been no apology to the bereaved family." Friends who know that Kim Sae-ron dated Kim Soo-hyun since her underage years number eight. Friends who watched Kim Soo-hyun's press conference are writing a statement in frustration, and they may go public with it.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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