South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has canceled his upcoming appearance in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, amid growing controversy surrounding the death of his ex-girlfriend, actress Kim Sae-ron. The 37-year-old actor, best known for his roles in hit dramas such as My Love from the Star and Moon Embracing the Sun, was scheduled to attend a fan event as part of the three-day Sakura Festival organized by President Chain Store Corp.
Organizers announced that Kim would no longer be attending due to “a change in his schedule.” The event will proceed on Sunday without his appearance, and attendees who purchased tickets for that day are eligible for a full refund from March 25 through April 15.The cancellation follows intense public scrutiny linked to the tragic death of Kim Sae-ron, who passed away on February 16—coincidentally, the same day as Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday. The former child actress, who rose to fame in films and TV dramas, reportedly took her own life after a period of personal and legal struggles.South Korean media outlets have reported that Kim Sae-ron’s parents claim their daughter had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun for six years, beginning when she was just 15 years old. They also allege that following her 2022 drunk driving incident, her agency—Gold Medalist, which represents both Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun—pressured her to repay a large sum of money, totaling around 700 million KRW (approximately US$477,000).The parents claim that financial strain and mishandling by the agency contributed to their daughter’s mental health decline, leading up to her death. Gold Medalist later confirmed that the two had been in a relationship but stated it only began when Kim Sae-ron was legally an adult.Public reaction to the controversy has been swift. Kim Soo-hyun reportedly lost nearly one million followers on social media in the days following the allegations. Critics online have called for greater transparency from the actor and his agency, while fans have expressed concern over the situation’s impact on both parties.As the investigation and media coverage continue, Kim Soo-hyun has yet to release a personal statement addressing the claims in full.