Inside South Korean celebrity culture as a new case raises tough questions

• South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun denies allegations of an underage relationship with the late actor Kim Sae-ron, who died by suicide in February.
• Kim Sae-ron's family alleges a six-year relationship starting when she was 15, supported by a YouTube channel, HoverLab, which released photos, videos, and letters as evidence.
• Kim Soo-hyun admits to a relationship but insists it began after Kim Sae-ron turned 18. He and his agency are suing HoverLab and Kim Sae-ron's family for defamation and privacy violations.
• Kim Sae-ron's suicide has intensified criticism of South Korea's tabloid culture and online harassment, which her family blames for her declining mental health.
• Kim Soo-hyun has lost endorsement deals with Prada and Dinto due to the controversy. An online petition to raise the age of consent in South Korea is gaining traction.

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The pressure of South Korea’s celebrity culture as a new case raises questions