19th March 2025 – (Seoul) Kim Soo-Hyun, one of South Korea’s most esteemed actors, is facing significant backlash following his alleged involvement in a dating scandal with Kim Sae-Ron. Once celebrated for his talent and wholesome image, the actor has seen a dramatic decline in his Instagram following, losing nearly one million followers in just eight days as public sentiment shifts sharply against him.
The controversy erupted after rumours surfaced regarding Kim Soo-Hyun’s relationship with Kim Sae-Ron, a former child actress previously involved in a DUI incident in 2022. Following the emergence of these allegations, Kim Soo-Hyun’s follower count plummeted significantly, including a staggering loss of 494,129 followers on 13th March alone. The decline began on 10th March, when he lost 1,611 followers, and continued with losses of 20,957 on 11th March, 200,152 on 12th March, 84,692 on 14th March, 52,976 on 15th March, 28,801 on 16th March, 26,838 on 17th March, and 3,649 on 18th March. This totals 913,805 lost followers, leaving him with 20,350,183 as of the latest update. Former fans have taken to social media to voice their discontent, with many calling for a boycott and expressing outrage over the allegations.
The scrutiny is not confined to social media; brands are also reacting to the scandal. Notably, PRADA has terminated its contract with the actor after just three months, signalling a broader impact on his commercial partnerships.
While Kim Soo-Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has denied allegations regarding his dating history with Kim Sae-Ron, the situation continues to escalate, raising questions about the nature of their reported relationship, particularly given their 13-year age difference. As the public discourse evolves, the actor’s reputation hangs in the balance.