Did Kim Soo Hyun Text Her in 2016? Forensic Test Says No!

Actor Kim Soo Hyun has taken a bold step to clear his name from a resurfaced 2016 text message scandal involving the late actress Kim Sae Ron. On April 9 KST, Trubaum Research Center released the results of an Author Identification Assessment conducted to verify whether the disputed messages were genuinely written by Kim Soo Hyun.

The assessment was initiated by Kim’s side in response to rumors that the actor had been romantically involved with Kim Sae Ron in 2016—when she was still a minor—based on allegedly recreated text messages published by HOVERLAB.

 95% Probability Messages Weren’t Written by Kim Soo Hyun

The linguistic test revealed “statistically significant differences” between the 2016 messages and Kim Soo Hyun’s verified texts from 2025. According to Trubaum’s findings, there’s a 95% probability that the 2016 messages were not authored by Kim Soo Hyun.

However, the same test showed 92% similarity between the messages exchanged in 2018 and those from 2025, suggesting those were highly likely written by the actor.\

How Author Identification Works

The Author Identification Assessment compares patterns in parts of speech, grammar, and writing style using 18 linguistic features. This method is often used in forensic cases to determine the authorship of documents by quantifying unique writing habits over time.

In this case, Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team submitted actual messages from 2025 to serve as a reference, allowing the research center to determine authorship probability through statistical modeling.

 Timeline of the Text Message Controversy

The controversy began when HOVERLAB released recreated messages claimed to be exchanged between Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron in 2016, attempting to prove a romantic relationship. The authenticity of these messages was widely questioned, especially due to the lack of direct screenshots or metadata.

To challenge these claims, Kim’s side hired Trubaum, a firm specializing in court-admissible linguistic analysis, to independently verify the authorship.

 Kim Soo Hyun’s Response and Public Reaction

While Kim Soo Hyun has not made an official public statement following the report, fans and legal analysts have noted that this scientific approach adds credibility to his defense. It also raises concerns about the media ethics behind publishing unverified messages involving a minor.

The report could play a crucial role if legal action is pursued over defamation or false claims.