This article is part of our coverage of Kim Soo Hyun And Kim Sae Ron’s Relationship. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.
Amid the controversy regarding the late Kim Sae Ron, Kim Soo Hyun‘s past behavior towards underage stars has sparked anger. Since the controversy began, netizens have found multiple instances of Kim Soo Hyun interacting with young celebrities in ways that have been deemed inappropriate and alarming.
1. Park Eun Bin
A GIF from a 2010 event shows Kim Soo Hyun handing Park Eun Bin a doll and then running off. At the time, Park Eun Bin was 18 years old, a minor in Korea, and Kim Soo Hyun was 22 years old, a legal adult.
Some netizens who were angered by the incident believed that a doll was an odd gift to give the actress.
2. Son Yeon Jae
When Kim Soo Hyun was 23, he sent a “love call” to national athlete Son Yeon Jae, who was only 16 years old. Due to her popularity and prowess in rhythmic gymnastics in the early 2010s, Son was dubbed “the nation’s little sister” and “the nation’s fairy.”
She had many admirers, including Kim Soo Hyun, who admitted that he “was a fan” during an interview. He also publicly invited her to grab a meal together.
I’m a fan of athlete Son. To Ms Son Yeon Jae, let’s grab a meal together some time.
— Kim Soo Hyun
3. Nam Ji Hyun
Kim Soo Hyun recently came under fire for remarks he made about Nam Ji Hyun in a 2010 interview. At the time, he was 22 and the actress was 15 years old, the same age Kim Sae Ron was when she and Kim Soo Hyun allegedly began dating.
While discussing his and Nam Ji Hyun’s projects Will It Snow for Christmas? and Giant, he joked that his onscreen younger brother, actor Yeo Jin Goo, had “stolen his girl.”
It felt so weird, like my younger brother had stolen my girl.
— Kim Soo Hyun
He referred to the actress as “a real fox” and admitted to being jealous of the praise she received from directors and senior actors.
Ji Hyun is a real fox when it comes to acting.
Even though she’s much younger than me, I learned a lot while filming ‘Will It Snow for Christmas?’ She understands everything—camera angles, how to deliver her lines, all of it. On the first day of filming with Ji Hyun in Sancheong, I couldn’t sleep because my stomach hurt so much.
I was so jealous of how she was praised by the director and adored by the senior actors. I guess that’s why my eyes were burning with so much competitiveness.
— Kim Soo Hyun
4. Kim Yoo Jung
Kim Soo Hyun acted in the K-Drama The Moon That Embraces the Sun alongside Han Ga In and child actress Kim Yoo Jung. During an interview, he made comments about Kim Yoo Jung, who was only 13 at the time, that have now received scathing criticism.
https://t.co/VjSDn4SMXi pic.twitter.com/dMUU8p4Ytu
— guqpk (@kzkttzzk113) March 11, 2025
I guess I previously thought of her as too much a baby. After seeing her in real life, I thought she was really confident and smart, and I didn’t feel like she was young. I can’t wait to see her mature and I think I’ll be able to soon meet her as partners in a drama.
— Kim Soo Hyun
This wasn’t the only interaction netizens have criticized. Clips of Kim Soo Hyun hugging the young star and putting a finger on her lips recently went viral.
@myprincessyoojung99 I’m grateful that Yoojung has parents who take care of her and love her. I hope yj doesn’t act in dramas with him, just when she’s a teenager😌 #kimyoojung #kimsoohyun #김유정 #foryoupage #fyp #foryou
♬ son original – OUIDAD💗
5. Kevin Woo
Kim Soo Hyun’s comment about U-KISS‘s Kevin Woo recently gained attention. In a video clip, Kevin said that he cried after looking in the mirror, and Kim Soo Hyun stated, “But the way you talk is really cute.”
After he said this, the subtitles read, “Soo Hyun..what’s wrong with you…” At one point, Kim Soo Hyun also said that touching Kevin feels good because he came from San Francisco. To this, Han Seungyeon responded, “What is this?” Awkward tension filled the room while the subtitles stated, “Soo Hyun…Kevin is still young…”