In March 2024, Kim Sae-ron caused a stir when she posted and quickly deleted a photo of herself with Kim Soo-hyun, sparking dating rumors. However, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency swiftly denied the claims.

After Sae-ron’s tragic death in February 16 2025, rumors emerged that she had contacted Soo-hyun for help with a $525,000 debt but never received a reply. Amid the growing controversy, Red Velvet’s Yeri posted a mysterious message on Instagram saying, “I didn’t leave ya,” leading many to wonder if it was a reference to Sae-ron.