The controversy is spreading as the late Sulli’s brother, Mr. Choi, continues to make explosive statements related to entertainment figures.
Mr. Choi claimed on his social media on the 2nd that IU, a singer and actress, handed the script of the movie ‘Real’ to Sulli. He stated that IU was offered the lead role due to her acquaintance with Kim Soo-hyun but declined, thereby giving the script to Sulli instead.
He also added that Sulli was in a very difficult mental state during the filming and was visiting a psychiatrist introduced by IU. Mr. Choi emphasized the connection between the three people by claiming that the late Goo Hara and the late Kim Sae-ron also received treatment at the same hospital.
In particular, he raised an issue about the background of Sulli personally filming a bed scene on the set of ‘Real’. He argued that although there was a body double, Sulli filmed the exposure scene herself, and that there might have been persuasion or pressure rather than coercion. He also raised suspicions that Lee Ro-be, then head of the production company, was excessively involved in the filming site and had frequent personal contacts with Sulli.
In response to these claims, the production team of ‘Real’ and Kim Soo-hyun’s side strongly refuted. Gold Medalist stated, “It was informed in advance that the role required exposure acting from the casting stage, and the actor and agency fully reviewed this before deciding to appear,” and this condition was stated in the contract. They conveyed that the exposure scene was filmed according to the storyboard, and there was only a standing actor on the site instead of a stand-in. Additionally, Kim Soo-hyun was a mere cast actor and unrelated to the film’s production process.
As the controversy grew, Mr. Choi deleted some posts mentioning IU and Kim Soo-hyun but continued to ignite the controversy by bringing claims related to Sulli’s past personal life. He claimed that Sulli dated Block B member P.O for about a year in the past and repeated that Sulli received treatment at the hospital introduced by IU. In this process, the real names of several celebrities, including IU, Suzy, Ahn So-hee, Kim Sun-a, and Han Ji-eun, were mentioned, raising public concern.
P.O’s agency stated that “We can’t confirm whether it’s true or not” regarding the dating rumor, and IU’s side has not given a separate stance on the claims. Mr. Choi posted a statement explaining, “I also have the freedom to speak” and “There is no intention of targeting specific individuals. I’m raising personal questions about the situation.”
However, the public is raising concerns about the reckless mention of real names and the release of sensitive information that could damage the honor of the deceased. Particularly, it’s pointed out that a cautious attitude is needed considering the wounds of the bereaved families and fans in a situation where the personal lives of people who have already passed away, such as Sulli, Goo Hara, and Kim Sae-ron, are repeatedly mentioned. There is also considerable criticism that Mr. Choi’s series of revelations surrounding Sulli are spiraling into indiscriminate public opinion rather than simple truth-finding.
Currently, Kim Soo-hyun has filed a 12 billion won lawsuit for damages against the late Kim Sae-ron’s family and the YouTube channel ‘Karo Sero Research Institute’, and the related case will be dealt with in court. Amid ongoing battles over the truth, caution over the secondary harm caused by irresponsible revelations and name mentions is needed.
