Kim Soo Hyun's ongoing underage dating controversy has led fans to reassess his entire career, with increasing scrutiny now falling on his inner circle. The scandal has sparked widespread discussion, and many are now questioning his past actions and public image.
After remaining silent for nearly three weeks following the controversy, the actor finally broke his silence at a press conference on March 31. However, his emotional statement was met with scepticism, with many labelling it as 'fake' and insincere.
As the fallout continues, several of Kim Soo Hyun's close contacts have seemingly begun distancing themselves from him. The latest to take action is his fellow 88-liner Yim Siwan, best known for his role in Squid Game.
Yim Siwan unfollowed Kim Soo Hyun on Instagram just a day after the latter held his press conference. Fans were quick to take note of the Run On star's social media activity after initially questioning his close friendships with the now-controversial actor.
Fans also observed that Yim Siwan didn't just unfollow Kim Soo Hyun but also unfollowed everyone else and now only follows his agency, Plum Actors.
Before Yim Siwan, actress Seol In Ah did something similar. She unfollowed everyone on Instagram shortly after the controversy broke. She also unfollowed her agency, Gold Medalist, which Kim Soo Hyun co-owns with his cousin. This led fans to wonder if the Business Proposal actress might have ended her contract with the agency due to the scandal.
For those who may not know, the group 88-liners consists of actors and idols who were born in 1988 and includes G-Dragon, Kim Soo Hyun, Yim Siwan, Jung Hae In, Lee Soo Hyuk, and Hwang Kwanghee.?The group garnered public attention after their camaraderie was on display on the BigBang member G-Dragon-hosted variety show Good Day in February.
According to K-media reports, Kim Soo Hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, is facing a severe financial crisis. The situation is reportedly so dire that the agency had to suspend its contract with an external cleaning service.
The agency's financial woes stem from Kim Soo Hyun losing over 20 endorsement deals due to controversies surrounding his alleged past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron.
Several industry insiders also believe that Kim Soo Hyun's emotional press conference was not only a defensive move but also a desperate attempt to save his agency from bankruptcy.?The reports further added that Gold Medalist is seeking external investment to navigate its financial troubles.
Meanwhile, Kim Soo Hyun has filed a 12 billion KRW (approximately $12.24 million) lawsuit against Kim Sae Ron's family and others involved in the controversy.
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