There has been a lot of talk online about the Chinese drama Hidden Love, not just about how cute or nostalgic it is. Some viewers are bringing up comparisons to a real-life situation involving Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron.
If you＊ve seen Hidden Love, you know the basic setup: Sang Zhi is a teenage girl who slowly develops feelings for her older brother＊s friend, Duan Jia Xu. He＊s already in college when her crush starts, and while the show doesn＊t turn things romantic until she＊s an adult, the emotional connection starts way before that.
A lot of people loved the show for its soft, slow-burn storytelling. But others felt a little weird watching a storyline where a high school girl has that kind of emotional attachment to a grown man, especially when he＊s portrayed as kind, gentle, and maybe a little emotionally available. Even if he didn＊t reciprocate at first, the dynamic still raised some questions.
That＊s where the comparison to Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron comes in.
Currently, allegations of an underage relationship between Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron have been rampant, suggesting their relationship began when she was around 15 and he was already a grown man in the industry. He has denied the accusations of a minor relationship but confirmed they dated when she turned an adult.
From the affectionate letters he reportedly sent while serving in the military to the personal photos that suggest their connection went beyond just work, Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron＊s relationship has definitely raised eyebrows. Even if, as he claims, they were never romantically involved and he was simply offering support, people can＊t help but question the emotional tone of it all. To some, it feels like the kind of closeness that could easily be misread〞especially by someone younger〞turning emotional support into something that felt like more, even if it wasn＊t meant that way.
It all started when a follower of Kim Soo Hyun posted, "Hypocrisy is watching Hidden Love and calling the male character 'the green flag' while calling Soohyun a groomer and paedophile! Hypocrisy is calling an adult a minor when she was clearly mature and aware of her actions!"
Many users have since then voiced their support for Kim Soo Hyun, citing the same example. Under many drama communities, users have brought up the age gap discourse in Hidden Love to defend Kim Soo Hyun. Some netizens feel like the comparison isn＊t totally fair and have been calling it out.
What are your thoughts on Hidden Love's comparison to Kim Soo Hyun-Kim Sae Ron's relationship? Let us know!
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