Kim Soo Hyun loses nearly 1 million Instagram followers over underage dating allegation with Kim Sae Ron

His follower count began declining on March 10 and saw a sharp drop of 494,129 on March 13. As of March 19, he had lost 913,805 followers, leaving him with 20.35 million, according to Dimsum Daily.

South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun has lost nearly 1 million Instagram followers in just eight days following allegations that he was involved in a relationship with Kim Sae Ron when she was underage.

His follower count began declining on March 10 and saw a sharp drop of 494,129 on March 13. As of March 19, he had lost 913,805 followers, leaving him with 20.35 million, according to Dimsum Daily.

A major fan account with 460,000 followers has alo withdrawn its support, while his recent posts have been flooded with criticism.

Several brands have distanced themselves from Kim. Korea JoongAng Daily reported that Prada, bakery chain Tous les Jours, and sportswear brand K2 have removed his endorsements.

Advertisers are closely monitoring the situation, as he remains a high-profile ambassador for multiple international brands, MK Korea reported.

According to Money Today, Kim faces potential financial losses if endorsement deals are canceled. If contracts are breached, Kim could be liable for two to three times the contract amount, potentially exceeding US$13 million across 16 endorsement deals, according to Dan Tri, citing South Korean media.

The controversy erupted after YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute claimed Kim had a relationship with Kim Sae Ron when she was 15. The channel also alleged that Kim demanded repayment of 700 million won (US$525,000), suggesting the financial burden contributed to Kim Sae Ron’s distress before her death.

South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun. Photo from Facebook

Kim Sae Ron was found deceased at her Seoul home on Feb. 16. Authorities reported no signs of foul play, and her funeral took place on Feb. 19.

She gained international recognition as the youngest South Korean actress to attend the Cannes Film Festival for her debut role in the 2009 film "A Brand New Life." She was also the youngest nominee for Best Actress at South Korea’s prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards.

However, her career suffered setbacks following her 2022 drunk-driving incident, which led to lost film opportunities and endorsements.

Kim Soo Hyun, 37, made his television debut in 2007 and became a major figure in South Korea with successful series such as "Dream High," "The Moon Embracing the Sun," "My Love from the Star," "It’s Okay to Not Be Okay," and "Queen of Tears."

Having started his acting career in his school years, he now stands as one of the top-earning actor in South Korea, consistently commanding the highest average pay per episode, according to local media.

In addition to his acting career, Kim Soo Hyun also earns significant income through endorsement deals with prominent brands.