Discussions surrounding actor Kim Soo Hyun's alleged six-year relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron have intensified following a recent interview with her aunt.

The video, which has sparked outrage online, claims the relationship began when Kim Sae Ron was still a minor.
The controversy had gained steam after an old interview from 2017 resurfacing of Kim Sae Ron. During a segment titled TF Interview: Snowy Road, Kim Sae Ron discussed her aspirations as an actress and expressed interest in working with Kim Soo Hyun, whom she described as her preferred co-star for romantic comedies.
Kim Sae Ron and Kim Hyang Gi at the press conference of film 'Snowy Road', premiere on March 1 pic.twitter.com/ZDOsTf3539
— The Seoul Story (@theseoulstory) February 13, 2017
When asked if she was interested in taking on more everyday roles, the then-17-year-old actress said, "I still have a passion for intense and emotionally heavy characters, but I'd also love the opportunity to explore lighter roles. I think it would be fun to take part in slice-of-life dramas, projects centered around friendship, or even romantic comedies."
Kim Sae Ron noted, "Since I was little, whenever someone asked which actor I'd like to work with, I always mentioned Kim Soo Hyun. He's 12 years older than me but has such a youthful appearance, doesn't he?" She laughed while remarking.
In a separate interview with Ilgan Sports, as per KBIZoom, she reiterated her admiration for Kim Soo Hyun, saying, "I haven't given much thought to working with a particular actor. I'm not entirely sure about romantic comedies, but since I was little, I've always named Kim Soo Hyun as someone I'd like to collaborate with. I think it would be enjoyable to share a project with him."
According to her aunt, Kim Sae Ron was reportedly two years into the alleged relationship at the time of the interview. This timeline has led some netizens to question whether she may have been manipulated into maintaining the relationship.
His agency, Gold Medalist, denied the rumors surrounding Kim Soo Hyun. However, online discussions indicate growing concerns over the nature of their past interactions. Many users have pointed out Kim Sae Ron's consistent references to Kim Soo Hyun's youthful appearance during interviews, interpreting them as potential signs of grooming and gaslighting.
Reactions on social media have ranged from shock to anger, with comments such as, "This is disturbing. Was she actually groomed and manipulated? She was only 17 and kept repeating the same lines about him looking young." Another said, "That doesn't sit right with me. A 17-year-old saying a 12-year age gap is fine because he looks young? That's not normal." Still, another said, "She was obviously influenced. Why didn't anyone step in to stop this?"
In light of these allegations, the Garasero Research Institute announced that they will report Kim Soo Hyun for allegedly engaging in a relationship with a minor. The unfolding situation continues to raise critical questions about the implications of such relationships in the entertainment industry.