{
  "id": 14126210,
  "title": "Kim Soo-hyun wasn't behind 2016 chats with late Kim Sae-ron, report says — so who was 'Celebrity A'?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/kim-soo-hyun-wasnt-behind-2016-chats-with-late-kim-sae-ron-report",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-13T05:32:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/20261013/kim-soo-hyun-wasnt-behind-2016-chats-with-late-kim-sae-ron-report-says-so-who-was-celebrity-a"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The ongoing controversy involving actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late actress Kim Sae-ron has taken an unexpected turn. Initial reports suggested that messages exchanged between the two, presented as evidence of their alleged relationship while Kim Sae-ron was a minor, were sent by Kim Soo-hyun. However, a recent report by Dispatch claims that police have identified a different celebrity, referred to only as \"Celebrity A,\" as the sender of the 2016 KakaoTalk messages.\n\nThe controversy originated from YouTube channel HoverLab, also known as Garo Sero Research Institute, which released the messages as purported evidence of a romantic relationship between the two actors. Police conducted a forensic examination of electronic devices belonging to Kim Sae-ron, recovering past conversations, photographs, and other data. According to the report, investigators found no evidence on the devices indicating that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were dating during the specified period.\n\nFurthermore, the police report revealed that Kim Sae-ron maintained close relationships with at least four men during that time. Police analysis reportedly identified \"Celebrity A\" as the sender of the messages in question, contradicting earlier claims that Kim Soo-hyun was responsible. The revelation has left the public questioning who truly exchanged the messages and the authenticity of the evidence presented in this ongoing scandal.",
  "summary": "A twist has emerged in the controversy surrounding actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late actress Kim Sae-ron: KakaoTalk messages previously presented as evidence that the two were involved while Kim Sae-ron was a minor were reportedly exchanged with another celebrity, identified only as \"Celebrity A.\" Dispatch reported Tuesday that police identified Celebrity A, rather than Kim Soo-hyun, as the person…",
  "key_points": [
    "Police identified \"Celebrity A\" as sender of 2016 KakaoTalk messages.",
    "Initial reports claimed Kim Soo-hyun sent the messages.",
    "Investigation found no evidence of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron dating."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The identification of a different individual as the sender shifts the focus of the scandal from Kim Soo-hyun toward an unidentified figure and challenges the authenticity of the initial evidence.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Report says 'Celebrity A,' not Kim Soo-hyun, was behind 2016 chats with Kim Sae-ron",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/report-says-celebrity-a-not-kim-soo-hyun-was-behind-2016-chats-with",
        "published": "2026-10-13T05:52:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}