Did a Secret Husband Kill Kim Sae-ron? The Version That Could Clear Kim Soo-hyun’s Name

A shocking twist in Kim Sae-ron’s death shifts blame from Kim Soo-hyun to a secret, allegedly abusive husband.

The death of Kim Sae-ron on 16 February 2025, officially ruled a suicide, continues to spark controversy. For weeks, her family and the Garosero Research Institute YouTube channel pushed a narrative linking her tragic downfall to a supposed underage relationship with Kim Soo-hyun, the Queen of Tears star. But now, a shocking twist is casting doubt: a woman claiming to be Sae-ron’s best friend says the real villain was a secret, abusive husband.

On 20 March, YouTuber Lee Jin-ho released two leaked audio recordings. In them, the unidentified woman alleges that Sae-ron wasn’t haunted by a former lover, but trapped in a violent marriage with a corporate employee she met in the US. The tapes paint a harrowing picture of domestic abuse—bruises, cuts, even threats. “All her friends believe she died because of him,” the voice can be heard saying in one of the calls (indianaexpress.com).

This contradicts claims from Sae-ron’s family, who insist Kim Soo-hyun groomed her from age 15 and pressured her years later over a ₩700 million debt linked to her 2022 DUI. Goldmedalist, Soo-hyun’s agency, denies this, stating they covered the damages themselves. But the backlash was swift—brands like Prada and Dinto cut ties, and the actor now faces a potential $900,000 fine if he pulls out of a fan event in Taiwan.

But this marriage narrative has stirred fresh debate. Some netizens believe Sae-ron was silenced by an abusive partner, while others accuse Lee Jin-ho of fabricating evidence (indianaexpress.com). The tapes name no one, and her family strongly denies any wedding, pregnancy, or abortion rumours.

Once a child star who shone in The Man from Nowhere, Sae-ron’s career spiralled after her DUI. She was reportedly working odd jobs before her death. Now, the story of her final months is being rewritten—caught between the weight of scandal, conflicting accounts, and public speculation.

Was she destroyed by a famous ex or a hidden husband? The truth remains elusive, but the storm shows no sign of calming.

Read this article for more information.