“Is This How You Threatened Kim Sae Ron?” — Kim Soo Hyun’s Lawsuit Against Actress’s Family Sparks Disgust

This article is part of our coverage of Kim Soo Hyun And Kim Sae Ron's Relationship. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.

Kim Soo Hyun has come under heavy criticism after filing a lawsuit against the late actress Kim Sae Ron’s family and the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute. On March 31, his legal representatives held a press conference, denying accusations that he dated Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor and refuting claims that financial pressure from him led to her tragic passing.

In response to the ongoing controversy, Kim Soo Hyun’s team announced legal action against an individual claiming to be Kim Sae Ron’s aunt, as well as the operators of Gaseyeon. They further confirmed that a damage lawsuit totaling ₩12.0 billion KRW (about $8.16 million USD) had been submitted to the Seoul Central District Court.

Kim Soo Hyun Files ₩12 Billion KRW Lawsuit Against Bereaved Family And Garosero

The lawsuit has sparked outrage among Korean netizens, many of whom find it disturbing that Kim Soo Hyun would take legal action against the bereaved family. Some even pointed out the similarities between this lawsuit and the claims that the actor and his agency Gold Medalist attempted to extort money from Kim Sae Ron after her DUI.

| TheQoo

• “I saw the devil.”
• “So this is what they did to the child [Kim Sae Ron] back then too.”
• “Are they even human?”
• “This is beyond the worst—how much lower can they go?”
• “Since a lawsuit is finally happening, I guess all the evidence will come out now.”
• “Did they threaten the deceased like this, too?”

The controversy has also gained traction internationally, with many criticizing Kim Soo Hyun for his actions. Some pointed out that rather than issuing an apology, he is choosing to sue the grieving family for a massive sum. Others accused him of attempting to silence those speaking out against him.

Kim Soohyun's lawyer's said they sued Late Kim Saeron’s family today with a damage lawsuit totaling 12 billion KRW… like what in the world how is that Mfer alright in the head on top of grooming her and causing her death now he wanna sue her family????
pic.twitter.com/sX6Srnu6P6

— 🧃 (@faceondemand) March 31, 2025

kim soohyun not uttering a single apology to kim saeron’s family and is crying as his agency announces that instead of giving the apology they asked for, theyre suing them with a 12 billion krw lawsuit. truly no words pic.twitter.com/g0Jt0DnGFe

— ً (@kdramarchive) March 31, 2025

Avoiding facts, zero accountability and no apologies towards Saeron or her family instead he is suing them for 12 BILLION WON for damages. Kim Soohyun's entire press conference was just a big act to gain sympathy. pic.twitter.com/94cP3Mc3lu

— ♡ (@9131film) March 31, 2025

Another post condemned him for allegedly pressuring the late actress over debts she could not pay, only to now demand an even larger sum from her family.

so kim soohyun did not only try to force saeron to pay an insane amount of money he knew she couldn’t pay, now he also wants to sue her family for an insane amount of money too…

he needs to d*e deadass pic.twitter.com/crXSTci6gR

— ✶sara⋆.˚꩜ (@irenetism) March 31, 2025

With both Korean and international communities questioning his actions, the lawsuit is shaping up to be one of the most heated controversies of the year.