Sae-ron's family digitally analyzes photos to prove minor dating claims
What's the story
The family of late South Korean actor Kim Sae-ron has planned to conduct "digital forensics" on photos purportedly showing her relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun.
The move comes after their claims of a five-year relationship between the two actors, beginning in 2015 when Kim was a minor, was refuted by Soo-hyun's agency, GOLDMEDALIST.
Against this, Kim's family released private photos and videos, claiming they were taken during the alleged relationship.
Photo release
Kim's family released controversial photos through YouTube channel
On March 15, Kim's family shared a photo of a man entering the apartment of the actor through a YouTube channel named Garosero Research Institute. They alleged that the man was Soo-hyun.
However, GOLDMEDALIST refuted this allegation, saying the man's face wasn't visible in the photo.
Following this, Kim's family announced to conduct digital forensics on photos that could prove their claims.
To note, all this mudslinging began after Kim died due to suicide in February at 24.
Additional evidence
Kim's family shared additional photos, but timeline disputed
Further, through Garosero, the family shared more photos of the Queen of Tears actor planting cheek kisses on the Bloodhounds actor.
GOLDMEDALIST confirmed the photos as authentic but disputed the timeline stating they were taken around 2019-20 when Kim had already turned legal adult.
The agency has continuously refuted allegations of Soo-hyun dating Kim as a minor.
Resurfaced images
'Sasaeng' photos from 2017 fueled controversy
Amid the ongoing controversy, old photos, supposedly clicked by sasaengs (obsessive stalker fans) in 2017, have resurfaced online.
The images, which were posted years ago, show Kim standing in front of an apartment door with a man, whose face is turned away from the camera.
The post sharing these images has gone viral, with netizens deliberating the man's identity.
The uploader claimed these photos were taken from a sasaeng account dedicated to Kim.
Agency's rebuttal
GOLDMEDALIST refuted claims of Kim's frequent visits to Kim's apartment
GOLDMEDALIST has strongly denied allegations of a home date and challenged the validity of a photograph shared by Garosero.
In a lengthy statement, the agency denied Garosero's claims and said the man in the red puffer jacket shown is someone else.
At first, the agency called the "groundless suspicions" stemming from the unidentifiable photo undeserving of a response but had to clarify after allegations emerged that Kim's family was using the photo to imply frequent visits.