In a significant development in the ongoing legal case surrounding the late actress Kim Sae Ron, her family's legal representatives have presented what they claim is new and crucial evidence. This evidence aims to substantiate that Kim Sae Ron and top actor Kim Soo Hyun were in a romantic relationship back in 2018, a period during which she was legally considered a minor in South Korea.
Forensic Extraction Reveals Alleged Chat History
The new claims were made public through a report by the Korean news outlet MyDaily. The report features statements from lawyer Bu Ji Suk, who is part of the legal team representing Kim Sae Ron's family. According to the lawyer, forensic extraction techniques were used to recover private messages exchanged between the two actors on the popular messaging platform KakaoTalk.
These messages, which have been submitted to the police as evidence, are said to prove that the pair were involved in a dating relationship. The legal team's official statement read, "To prevent any further misunderstandings, we will disclose the contents of the KakaoTalk messages obtained via forensic extraction and submitted to the police as evidence to prove that Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun dated in 2018." The statement further emphasized that Sae Ron's side has cooperated fully with investigations, submitting all her electronic devices to the authorities.
Content of the Messages and Conflicting Claims
The disclosed message excerpts paint a picture of personal interaction. In one alleged text, Kim Soo Hyun is said to have written, "Ahooo Saero Maero I want to see you asap TT." The purported reply from Kim Sae Ron followed with, "When can I see you. We said we'd see each other on Thursday, haha. With your script!" Reports indicate that some of these conversations occurred on the same day Kim Soo Hyun had taken leave from his mandatory military service.
However, this narrative is strongly contested by Kim Soo Hyun's camp. His legal representatives have countered the allegations, stating that the revealed conversations from April 2018 were not with Kim Sae Ron but with other acquaintances. They have gone further to allege that the presented evidence may have been fabricated by "clipping together different messages" to create a misleading sequence.
Legal Implications and Ongoing Investigation
This development introduces a serious dimension to the case, given the age factor. South Korean law has strict provisions regarding relationships with minors, and if proven, such allegations could have severe legal and reputational consequences. The submission of forensic evidence marks an escalation, moving the dispute from mere allegations to a technical battle of digital proof.
The situation remains in flux as the police continue their investigation. The core of the matter now hinges on the authenticity and context of the extracted KakaoTalk messages. The legal teams for both sides are poised for a protracted battle, with one side asserting the existence of a past relationship through digital footprints and the other dismissing it as a misrepresentation or fabrication.
This case has gripped the Korean entertainment industry and international fans, highlighting the intense scrutiny faced by celebrities and the complex interplay between personal privacy, digital evidence, and legal accountability.
