The investigation into allegations against actor Kim Soo Hyun has effectively ended after prosecutors returned the case file to police without requesting additional or renewed inquiries.
According to a Star News report published September 7, prosecutors returned the investigation records on September 3. Police had previously decided on July 29 not to forward the case because of insufficient evidence.
The case involved complaints against Kim Soo Hyun alleging violations of the Child Welfare Act and false accusation. The complaints were filed by the family of the late Kim Sae Ron and Kim Se Ui, who had publicly raised allegations concerning the actor’s past relationship with Kim Sae Ron.
Because prosecutors did not request further investigation, the police decision remains in place. The process has continued for about one year and four months since the complaints were filed. The complainants can still submit an objection, but the criminal procedure is currently considered effectively closed at the investigative-agency level.
The late Kim Sae Ron’s family had claimed that Kim Soo Hyun dated her while she was underage and subjected her to grooming and other forms of alleged abuse. Those claims were allegations by the family and were not presented as established facts by the investigation.
Police said they reviewed the submitted materials and relevant facts but found it difficult to recognize the alleged offenses. Lawyer Ko Sang Rok, representing Kim Soo Hyun, told Star News that the investigation covered the relevant period before Kim Sae Ron turned 18, as well as the broader allegations of possible sexual or emotional abuse.
“The police investigated the allegations as a whole, including the period generally regarded as her final year of high school, and determined that it was difficult to recognize Kim Soo Hyun as having violated the Child Welfare Act,” Ko said.
The controversy expanded after Kim Se Ui raised related claims through YouTube broadcasts in March last year. The dispute also affected the planned release of 'Knock-Off', a Disney+ series starring Kim Soo Hyun, which was temporarily put on hold.
Authorities also reportedly determined that an audio recording released by Kim Se Ui had been generated using artificial intelligence and that materials presented as KakaoTalk messages between Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron had been manipulated. Kim Se Ui was indicted in June in a separate case involving alleged false information about Kim Soo Hyun.
Since the police decision, Kim Soo Hyun has continued overseas activities, including a clothing-brand shoot in the Philippines and an appearance at the RCTI anniversary event 'Mahakarya RCTI 37' in Jakarta.
He is also listed to attend the actor category at 'Asia Artist Awards 2026', scheduled for December 5 and 6 at Kaohsiung National Stadium. With no further investigation requested by prosecutors, attention is now turning to whether Kim Soo Hyun will resume activities in South Korea.
