Kim Soo Hyun is once again facing heavy online criticism as old interviews and television appearances involving younger celebrities continue resurfacing amid the ongoing controversy connected to late actress Kim Sae Ron.
According to recent reports, Seoul’s Gangnam Police Station submitted an arrest warrant request on May 21 involving allegations that YouTube channel operator Kim Se Ui from the controversial channel Garosero Research Institute spread false information about Kim Soo Hyun for financial gain, including YouTube revenue.
Reports from JoongAng Ilbo also stated that investigators concluded Kim Soo Hyun did not date Kim Sae Ron while she was still a minor, and that some alleged message evidence had reportedly been fabricated. However, despite these developments, public opinion online remains deeply divided, with many netizens still expressing distrust toward the actor and threatening to boycott his future projects.
As the controversy continues, internet users have begun revisiting several older interviews and clips involving Kim Soo Hyun and younger stars.
One frequently discussed example comes from the 2012 drama Moon Embracing the Sun, where Kim Soo Hyun worked alongside child actress Kim Yoo Jung, who was only 13 years old at the time.
In an old interview, Kim Soo Hyun reportedly commented that he initially thought Kim Yoo Jung was “too childish,” but after meeting her in person, he no longer felt she seemed young and looked forward to seeing her grow up and potentially reunite with her as an actress later. The comments have recently drawn renewed criticism online due to the current controversy surrounding the actor.
Another resurfaced interview involved actress Nam Ji Hyun, who was reportedly around 15 years old at the time. Kim Soo Hyun jokingly described her acting as making him feel like “his younger brother stole his girlfriend,” while also calling her “a real fox” in terms of acting skill — comments that some netizens now view as inappropriate in hindsight.
Additional discussions online referenced a past interaction between Kim Soo Hyun and former national gymnast Son Yeon-jae when she was reportedly 16 years old, as well as old TV footage involving Kevin Woo during a 2009 music program appearance.
In the resurfaced clip, Kim Soo Hyun complimented Kevin’s way of speaking and briefly held his hand during the broadcast, causing visible awkwardness on set. Some netizens criticized the interaction as uncomfortable, while others defended the actor by arguing he was simply attempting playful variety-show humor common at the time.
The renewed scrutiny comes after the controversy involving Kim Sae Ron escalated throughout 2025.
The issue originally gained widespread attention after Kim Sae Ron uploaded — and later deleted — a close photo with Kim Soo Hyun in March 2024. Following her death on February 16, 2025, a person claiming to be her aunt later alleged through the Garosero Research Institute YouTube channel that the actress had dated Kim Soo Hyun from 2015 to 2021, including during her teenage years. The actor has strongly denied the allegations.
Although police findings reportedly support Kim Soo Hyun’s position, the controversy continues affecting public opinion, with the actor remaining under intense online scrutiny and reportedly facing significant advertising contract risks.
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