Kaohsiung: South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun, renowned for his role in the TV series "My Love from the Star," has canceled his scheduled visit to Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, due to controversies surrounding the death of his ex-girlfriend, actress Kim Sae-ron.
According to Focus Taiwan, President Chain Store Corp., the organizer of the Sakura Festival, announced on Facebook that Kim Soo-hyun would not be attending the event "due to a change in his schedule." The festival, scheduled for three days, will continue as planned, except for Kim's appearance at the conclusion of Sunday's event, as noted on the 7-Eleven Facebook page operated by President Chain Store Corp.
Ticket holders for the day of Kim's canceled appearance can request a full refund starting next Monday at 10 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on April 15, as stated by the company. The decision comes amid growing backlash following the suicide of Kim Sae-ron, a former child star, on February 16, coinciding with Kim Soo-hyun's birthday.
Media reports from South Korea have revealed claims from Kim Sae-ron's parents, alleging that Kim Soo-hyun, who is about 12 years older, had been in a six-year relationship with their daughter, beginning when she was underage at 15. They supported their claims with photos and letters. Kim Sae-ron later joined Gold Medalist, an agency representing Kim Soo-hyun, which was founded in 2019.
The parents accused the agency of mishandling their daughter's affairs after a drunk driving incident in 2022. They alleged that the company demanded 700 million KRW (approximately US$477,067) from her for fines and breach-of-contract penalties. A close friend of Kim Sae-ron's mother claimed that Kim Soo-hyun collaborated with the agency in seeking repayment.
The parents further alleged that the financial burden placed on Kim Sae-ron might have been a factor in her death. Following these allegations, Kim Soo-hyun's Instagram account witnessed a sharp decline in followers, losing 200,000 overnight and around 1 million in total.
On March 14, Gold Medalist confirmed that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a relationship but emphasized that their dating began when she was an adult. Apart from "My Love from the Star," Kim Soo-hyun is also known for his roles in "Moon Embracing the Sun" and "Queen of Tears."