Popular YouTube show Maebul Show has apologized after a huge backlash over comments defending relationships with minors, leading to the permanent cancellation of a segment.

On March 18, host Choi Wook opened the broadcast with an apology, saying, "I sincerely apologize for the controversy yesterday. I am truly sorry." He added, "I know an apology should be clear, but if I go into details, it might make things worse and cause more harm to someone. I’m sorry I can’t explain more."

The issue started when Maebul Show discussed shocking claims from Kim Sae Ron’s family. They alleged that Kim Soo Hyun dated Kim Sae Ron for six years, starting when she was still a minor.

While Kim Soo Hyun’s side denied the accusations, saying their relationship only started when she was an adult, the discussion took a controversial turn.

Cultural critic Kim Gap Soo made comments that sparked outrage. He said, "Social norms change over time. Should love really have such strict rules? People are making a huge deal out of this as if it's a serious crime. Sometimes there are big age gaps in relationships, and sometimes the woman is older. There are many cases."

He then continued, "Maybe they did date when she was young. Kim Sae Ron started working in the industry early, so she matured faster. She was 16 when she started dating, and Kim Soo Hyun was 27. If it were me, I wouldn’t see her as a romantic partner because she would seem too young, but that’s just a personal preference."

His words immediately caused an uproar, with many accusing him of justifying grooming. Viewers were furious, demanding action.

Maebul Show first tried to edit out the remarks but later faced even more pressure, leading to a full apology on March 18.

Choi Wook then made a big announcement: "The controversial segment will be permanently canceled." He also promised, "I will be more careful with future broadcasts and reflect on this deeply. Once again, I sincerely apologize."

This controversy has shocked many fans, and people are still debating the issue online. What do you think about this situation?

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The late actress Kim Sae Ron’s family has spoken out about their disappointment in Kim Soo Hyun’s response and revealed plans to conduct digital forensic analysis to find evidence of their alleged past relationship.

On March 18, Kim Sae Ron’s family reacted after reviewing Kim Soo Hyun’s agency Gold Medalist’s official statement. They shared, “All we wanted was a simple apology, but we are disappointed.”

They also revealed that the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute is preparing to release videos of Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron from when they were allegedly in a relationship.

Earlier, Gold Medalist released an official statement strongly denying the rumors, stating, “The person in the photos uploaded to the late actress’s fan account is not Kim Soo Hyun.” They further warned, “Please stop trying to damage Kim Soo Hyun’s reputation based on unrelated photos.”

The agency also denied claims that they had filed a lawsuit against Kim Sae Ron for damages. They clarified, “As can be confirmed in official documents, we have never demanded compensation from Kim Sae Ron for any damages related to her projects.”

Regarding accusations that they pressured Kim Sae Ron to repay debts, Gold Medalist called the claims “completely false.” They explained, “We worked with Kim Sae Ron to resolve compensation issues from her DUI incident. Through various efforts, the remaining compensation amount was reduced to about 700 million KRW (approximately 525,000 USD). When she struggled financially, we covered the outstanding debt in December 2023.”

They emphasized that this is documented in the company’s audit report dated April 1, 2024.

Additionally, the agency denied allegations that Kim Sae Ron was banned from contacting other actors under Gold Medalist. They clarified, “The second legal notice was only to inform her that discussions about the debt should go through legal representatives, not unauthorized individuals. We never restricted her from talking to other actors.”

As both sides continue to stand firm on their positions, the public is closely watching for further developments.

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