On March 22, the older brother of the late artist Sulli posted a cryptic message on his personal Instagram account that has left netizens buzzing. The post reads:

“Kim-ssi, I have a lot to say, but I can’t. You’re going to fall from your high position, so you better hold on tight.”

While he did not mention any specific names, online communities such as theqoo and Pann quickly speculated that “Kim-ssi” could refer to Kim Soo Hyun, who starred alongside Sulli in the controversial 2017 film “Real.”

Upon release, Real was heavily criticized for its confusing plot and disjointed storytelling. Although it was promoted as Sulli’s bold acting transformation, the film sparked backlash—especially toward Sulli, who received an overwhelming amount of criticism due to her provocative scenes.

What angered fans the most, however, was the silence from Kim Soo Hyun and the film’s production team, who made no effort to speak out or defend Sulli amid the onslaught of public hate.

The film was directed by Lee Sa Rang, believed to be either Kim Soo Hyun’s half-brother, and a co-founder of Gold Medalist, Kim Soo Hyun’s current agency. This connection only deepens the suspicion that Sulli may have been left to face the fallout from the film entirely alone.

Comments from Korean netizens reflected long-standing frustration:

“Everyone just turned their backs on her.”
“If her brother’s speaking up now, there must be a reason.”
“They left Sulli to handle everything alone, and now they’re acting like nothing happened.”

While there is no confirmation on who the post is truly aimed at, the timing, context, and ties to the film “Real” have reignited discussions about how Sulli was treated in her final years—not only by the public, but also by those who once worked closely with her.