The family of Kim Sae Ron has filed a defamation lawsuit against YouTuber Lee Jin Ho, accusing him of spreading false information that they believe contributed to the actress’s tragic passing.
At a press conference on March 17 at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the family’s legal representative Bu Ji Seok, along with Kwon Young Chan of the Korea Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association, and Kim Se Eui of HoverLab Inc., announced the lawsuit.
“This marks the beginning of our legal action, and we will continue to pursue justice,” said Kim Se Eui.
Family Seeks Legal Action Against Kim Soo Hyun
In addition to the lawsuit against Lee Jin Ho, the family has also demanded that actor Kim Soo Hyun issue a genuine public apology regarding his past relationship with Kim Sae Ron and his alleged lack of response to her pleas for help.
According to the family, Kim Sae Ron uploaded an old photo with Kim Soo Hyun in March 2024 after receiving a debt repayment demand from his agency, Gold Medalist. She allegedly tried to contact him for assistance, but after receiving no response, she briefly posted the photo, hoping he would reach out.
However, Lee Jin Ho denied their past relationship and allegedly spread misleading claims, portraying Kim Sae Ron in a negative light. The family believes these accusations caused her severe emotional distress, leading to her tragic decision.
Allegations Against Kim Soo Hyun
The family also accused Kim Soo Hyun’s agency of pressuring Kim Sae Ron to repay debts linked to her drunk driving incident and claimed that his legal team warned her against direct contact.
Gold Medalist denied these allegations and confirmed that Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron dated from 2019 to 2020, after she had become a legal adult. The agency dismissed claims that they pressured him to cover her debts or that he ignored her in her time of need.
Legal Actions Moving Forward
The family is now considering legal action against Kim Soo Hyun and his representatives. Meanwhile, Lee Jin Ho has allegedly deleted past videos related to Kim Sae Ron, which the family sees as evidence destruction and is urging authorities to investigate further.
Kim Sae Ron, once a rising star, passed away by suicide in February at the age of 24.