The conflict surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron began when the family of the deceased claimed that the two had been in a romantic relationship for six years starting in 2015, when Kim Sae-ron was 15 years old. The family presented messages exchanged in 2016 and 2018 as evidence, claiming that Kim Soo-hyun framed him as a 'pedophile' and a 'minor grooming' issue.
In response, Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference and refuted, saying, 'It is not true that I dated her as a minor,' and denied that the KakaoTalk messages from 2016 and 2018 were from him. Kim Soo-hyun's side clarified that the relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron began in the summer of 2019, after she turned of age, and it was also revealed that during the years between 2016 and 2019, Kim Soo-hyun dated an actress referred to as A, who is a former idol. This implies that it is unlikely he could have simultaneously been dating the late Kim Sae-ron during the time claimed by her family, lending credibility to Kim Soo-hyun's assertions.
As Kim Soo-hyun's mention of a former lover follows, more allegations regarding other 'past lovers' of the late Kim Sae-ron are being raised, further complicating the situation. YouTuber B claimed that the late Kim Sae-ron married a civilian man in New York, USA, and also faced inheritance issues, while a media outlet released an exclusive interview with this 'New York man.'
Amid the search for former lovers of Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron, a report emerged on the 21st that revealed the late Kim Sae-ron was in a romantic relationship around 2018 with a well-known idol member, referred to as C, who was older than her, and that they reunited in 2022 before breaking up in early 2023. This timeline coincides with the period when Kim Sae-ron was embroiled in controversy due to a drunk driving incident, and it is reported that idol member C lent a large sum of money to Kim Sae-ron, who was struggling financially at the time. Additionally, the report included that the late Kim Sae-ron did not hide her relationship and referred to C as her 'boyfriend' to acquaintances.
As numerous allegations regarding 'former lovers' surrounding the late Kim Sae-ron have been raised, especially concerning the timeline of her alleged relationship with Kim Soo-hyun and the new former lovers' relationships, the overlap or convergence of these dates is increasing. This 'temporal overlap' complicates the interpretation of the core issue of the 'grooming allegation' and has led to analyses that suggest it could open a 'new phase' in uncovering the truth of the case.
However, some voices express concern that the continuing reports and speculations about 'finding former lovers' are obscuring the essence of the case. Critics point out that focusing on the complicated private life of the deceased, rather than the veracity of the significant issue of 'minor grooming' raised by the late Kim Sae-ron's family, is clouding the core of the case.
Furthermore, the ongoing speculative reports and indiscriminate doxing are drawing unwanted attention to former lovers or those around the deceased, leading to the potential emergence of 'secondary victims.' There have also been instances, like that of singer WOODZ, where names have come up in speculative rumors, causing difficulties. This reflects concerns over defamation of the deceased as well as potential harm to the living.
Currently, Kim Soo-hyun's side has initiated legal action for defamation and damages against the family of the deceased and the YouTuber, and the family of the late Kim Sae-ron has counterclaimed against Kim Soo-hyun for violations of the Child Welfare Act and false accusations, continuing the battle over the truth.
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