Fresh controversy has erupted around actor Kim Soo-hyun after police reportedly concluded that allegations claiming he had dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor were false. The development has reignited online debate, particularly after cryptic comments posted by the older brother of the late singer and actress Sulli drew widespread attention across social media.
On May 21, Choi, Sulli’s older brother, posted a short but pointed message on his personal social media account. The post read, “The moment you crawl back out, it’s round two. The choice is yours.” Although he did not directly mention anyone by name, many online users quickly speculated that the statement was aimed at Kim Soo-hyun.
The speculation intensified after one acquaintance commented beneath the post asking, “Who said that?” Choi reportedly replied, “There’s one guy from that star over there,” a phrase many interpreted as a reference to Kim Soo-hyun’s globally popular SBS drama My Love from the Star. The actor became one of Korea’s biggest stars following the success of the series, making the connection immediately obvious to many fans and commentators.
The timing of Choi’s post also fueled public curiosity. Earlier that same day, reports emerged claiming that Seoul Gangnam Police Station had included in its request for an arrest warrant against Kim Se-ui, the operator of the controversial YouTube channel HoverLab, a statement asserting that false information had been intentionally spread for the purpose of defamation. According to the reports, police concluded that claims alleging Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were involved in a romantic relationship during her underage years were not true.
The alleged police conclusion dramatically shifted online public opinion. For months, rumors surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron had circulated heavily on social media and online forums, sparking intense criticism toward the actor. However, after reports suggested investigators viewed the allegations as fabricated, many netizens began questioning the motives behind the spread of the claims and the role of online channels in amplifying them.
Despite the reported police findings, tensions surrounding Kim Soo-hyun have not fully disappeared. Choi has repeatedly accused the actor and individuals connected to him of mistreating Sulli during the filming of the 2017 movie Real. In previous statements, Choi claimed that Kim Soo-hyun, along with his cousin Lee Sa-rang — also known as Lee Ro-be and identified as the director of “Real” — pressured Sulli into filming an explicit nude scene.
The controversy surrounding “Real” has followed the film for years. The movie was heavily criticized upon release, both for its production issues and for the explicit scenes involving Sulli, who later faced intense public scrutiny before her tragic death in 2019. Choi has argued that the actress experienced emotional distress related to the filming process and has continued to raise questions about what happened behind the scenes.
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency has strongly denied the allegations. In an official statement, the agency explained that the film’s nude scenes had been included in the script from the beginning and were fully disclosed during the casting process. The company also stated that both Sulli and her agency had received sufficient explanation before filming began.
The agency further clarified that while there was no body double used for the nude scenes themselves, a standing double had been present on set during production. Representatives insisted that all filming procedures were conducted professionally and according to prior agreements.
As discussions continue online, the renewed clash between Sulli’s family and Kim Soo-hyun has once again placed old controversies back into the spotlight, drawing strong reactions from fans and the broader Korean entertainment industry alike.
