Three months after explosive allegations involving actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late actress Kim Sae-ron, public sentiment is beginning to change. Initially, claims suggested Kim had been in a relationship with Sae-ron starting when she was just 15 years old, causing widespread backlash. However, the lack of tangible evidence and rising doubts about the credibility of the whistleblower have led many netizens to question the legitimacy of the accusations. Online platforms are now filled with trending hashtags like “Kim Soo-hyun cleared?” and “Is Knock Off finally airing?”, signaling renewed public support for the actor.
The controversy began with statements from Kim Sae-ron’s family and the Garo Sero Institute YouTube channel, which alleged a romantic relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and Sae-ron from 2016 to 2022. But fresh reports point to a different narrative: Kim was allegedly involved in a separate three-year relationship with a former idol-turned-actress, backed by correspondence during his military enlistment. This alternative timeline has cast significant doubt on the original claims.
Further complicating the case are reports that Kim Sae-ron had been romantically linked to other individuals, such as singer WOODZ and a former national athlete. These relationships undermine the timeline her family presented. Moreover, a widely circulated photo intended to prove the underage relationship was discredited when it was revealed the image had been taken with an iPhone 11—a model released after Sae-ron reached adulthood.
One of the most serious accusations involved a supposed informant who claimed to have been assaulted in New Jersey. Garo Sero alleged this individual had been stabbed nine times in the neck. However, discrepancies in medical records and a statement from the Korean consulate in New York have raised doubts about the truthfulness of that claim. As a result, public trust in Garo Sero’s reporting has significantly eroded, and many netizens are criticizing the platform for spreading unverified information.
Meanwhile, the fate of Knock Off, Kim Soo-hyun’s upcoming series with Disney+, remains uncertain. Although the show was highly anticipated, it was notably absent from Disney Korea’s 2025 content lineup. The company has confirmed there are no new updates aside from the decision to delay the release, citing ongoing internal reviews. Still, fans remain hopeful as interest in the project resurges online, with many expressing that if Kim is innocent, the series deserves to be aired.
Currently, Kim Soo-hyun is pursuing legal action against Garo Sero and Kim Sae-ron’s family. The lawsuit includes charges of defamation, violations of the Information and Communications Network Act, and stalking, along with a demand for 12 billion KRW (approximately $8.8 million USD) in damages. Although public support is growing stronger in his favor, the final verdict from the courts will be decisive—not just for Kim’s reputation, but also for the future of Knock Off.
