Kim Sae-ron’s 2017 Paparazzi Photos with Kim Soo-hyun—Taken When She Was 16

Kim Sae-ron’s paparazzi photos from her teenage years have surfaced, showing her waiting for an elevator with a man in the hallway of her apartment building. YouTube channel "Garo Sero Research Institute" (Gaseyeon), which has been making allegations against Kim Soo-hyun along with Kim Sae-ron’s family, claims that the man in the photo resembles Kim Soo-hyun.

The photo was originally posted on Instagram by a netizen believed to be a sasaeng (obsessive fan) of Kim Sae-ron on June 23, 2017, when she was a first-year high school student (16 years old by international age). Kim Sae-ron was born on July 31, 2000, meaning that at the time the photo was taken, she had not yet turned 17.

During a live broadcast, Gaseyeon pointed out that the jumper worn by the man in the paparazzi photo closely resembles the one Kim Soo-hyun was seen wearing in a couple’s photo that Kim Sae-ron’s family released on March 14. They demanded that Kim Soo-hyun clarify the identity of the man in the picture.

Gaseyeon’s Claims: "The Man in the Photo Is Kim Soo-hyun"

According to Gaseyeon, the Instagram account that originally posted the paparazzi photos belongs to a fan of Kim Sae-ron living overseas. The account has also uploaded several videos of Kim Sae-ron leaving home with her family.

The photo location was confirmed as the apartment where Kim Sae-ron lived with her family.

Kim Sae-ron’s family also confirmed that the man in the paparazzi photo is Kim Soo-hyun.

Suspicion Over the Timeline: Was the Photo Taken Even Earlier?

Gaseyeon noted that while the paparazzi photo was posted in June 2017, Kim Sae-ron appears to be wearing winter clothing, suggesting that the picture may have actually been taken earlier, possibly when she was still in middle school.

During a live broadcast, a Gaseyeon host stated:

"Kim Sae-ron's family has confirmed that the man in the photo is Kim Soo-hyun. Back in her middle and high school years, Kim Sae-ron lived with her family, but they claim that Kim Soo-hyun used to visit her home for dates when her parents were not present."

Kim Soo-hyun Faces 6-Year Dating Allegations

Kim Soo-hyun has been accused of dating Kim Sae-ron from 2015 to 2021, a claim that first surfaced through Gaseyeon.

On March 14, Kim Sae-ron’s family provided Gaseyeon with another photo of Kim Soo-hyun wearing a black cap and red puffer jacket, which further fueled speculation. Kim Soo-hyun’s side countered that the photo was taken on December 14, 2019, when Kim Sae-ron was no longer a minor.

However, if the 2017 paparazzi photo is confirmed to feature Kim Soo-hyun, his team may face further pressure to clarify their stance.

Kim Sae-ron’s Family: "We Have More Evidence"

Kim Sae-ron’s family claims they possess concrete evidence that she was in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun while still a minor.

Kwon Young-chan, head of the Korea Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association and a supporter of Kim Sae-ron’s family, stated at a press conference held at Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno District:

"There is a letter that specifically states the exact date Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun started dating in 2015. If I were just an ordinary psychological counselor, I would have reported Kim Soo-hyun to the police. But as the head of the Korea Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association, I could not do that."

Gaseyeon’s YouTuber Kim Se-ui, who also attended the press conference, added:

"How distressed must Kim Sae-ron have been to record the exact dates? The letter mentions whether it was November 9 or November 19, 2015, detailing that they dated for six years."

Deleted Instagram Post & Unreleased Confession

Kim Se-ui further claimed:

Kim Sae-ron once uploaded a photo on Instagram cheek-to-cheek with Kim Soo-hyun, but later deleted it.

After receiving backlash from YouTubers criticizing her, she allegedly wrote a detailed statement on Instagram about their six-year relationship but refrained from posting it.

Instead, she sent the statement via KakaoTalk to her mother, aunt, and cousin, saying: "I was going to post this, but I didn’t."

Kim Se-ui emphasized that KakaoTalk messages are undeniable records and that the exact dates and details of their relationship remain documented.

According to Kim Sae-ron’s aunt, the actress kept a diary, recording all the key dates of their relationship.