South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has come under fire following a press conference held today (March 31) at 3:30 p.m. in Seoul, addressing allegations of emotional manipulation and financial disputes during his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
Instead of quelling the controversy, his statements and emotional display sparked further criticism online, with netizens accusing him of insincerity and evasion.
Throughout the press conference, Kim Soo-hyun refrained from directly mentioning Kim Sae-ron by name, referring to her only as the "late individual" or "the departed." He tearfully expressed regret, saying, "Because of me, too many people have suffered. I deeply regret that the late individual could not rest in peace."
He also explained that their breakup was due to "the passage of time" and noted that he had been cautious about reconnecting with her afterward, claiming to have some knowledge of her situation.
However, Kim Soo-hyun's emotional display failed to convince many. Online users criticized his tears as performative, with comments such as, "Actors will always act, wherever they are," "The crying was unconvincing due to his nervousness," and "Drinking water during pauses—was that to ensure tears would flow?"
Adding to the backlash, Kim Soo-hyun frequently mentioned the TV series "Queen of Tears" during the press conference, which many netizens found inappropriate, accusing him of prioritizing his career and public image over addressing the controversy.
They also condemned his reluctance to explicitly mention Kim Sae-ron's name, calling it a lack of accountability. One netizen commented, "What would happen if you just told the whole truth? Stop emotionally manipulating everyone!"
In addition, reports from Korean media revealed that Kim Soo-hyun has filed a lawsuit seeking ₩12 billion KRW in damages against Kim Sae-ron's family and other related parties.
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