South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun has been exonerated from allegations of misconduct involving a minor. The Seoul police announced on July 29 that they would not pursue charges against the actor, following a thorough investigation into claims that he had inappropriate relations with actress Kim Sae Ron when she was underage.

The controversy began in early 2025 when Kim Sae Ron's family and Kim Se Ui, the owner of the Garo Sero Institute YouTube channel, accused Kim Soo Hyun of violating child protection laws. They alleged that Kim Soo Hyun engaged in inappropriate behavior with Kim Sae Ron when she was just 14 years old. The family claimed that Kim Soo Hyun's actions were detrimental to Kim Sae Ron, leading to her tragic death in February 2025, which they described as a result of extreme pressure.

Throughout the ordeal, Kim Soo Hyun consistently denied the allegations, asserting that he never dated Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor and that there was no coercion regarding any debts. In a press conference held in late March 2025, he stated, "We dated like any couple, but after our breakup, we lost regular contact, which was awkward." Following the accusations, Kim Soo Hyun filed a lawsuit against Kim Sae Ron's family and Kim Se Ui, seeking 12 billion won (approximately 8.1 million USD) in damages.

In May, Kim Se Ui was arrested on charges related to violating laws against sexual violence and online information dissemination. Investigations revealed that he had engaged in defamation and had used AI technology to create fake recordings of Kim Sae Ron's voice, which he disseminated to harm Kim Soo Hyun's reputation.

The police concluded that Kim Se Ui's actions had severely impacted Kim Soo Hyun's career and mental health, leading to significant economic and professional repercussions for the actor. Despite the scandal, Kim Soo Hyun has made a comeback in the entertainment industry, receiving numerous collaboration offers and over 40 film scripts in the past two months.