The two were 14 years apart.

In 2016, for JTBC‘s weekend K-Drama Secret Healer (also known as Mirror of the Witch), actor Yoon Si Yoon (or Yun Si Yun) starred alongside the late actress Kim Sae Ron, overcoming a significant 14-year age gap.

Following Kim Sae Ron’s tragic passing and the revelation of her relationship with actor Kim Soo Hyun shaking the entertainment business, Yoon Si Yoon’s treatment of the late actress has since resurfaced.

In one interview, Yoon Si Yoon seemingly protected the teenage Kim Sae Ron and defended her from interview questions that could put her in a difficult spot. When Yoon Si Yoon claimed that she was in her age-appropriate role and that he should be the one taking any criticism for the age gap, Kim Sae Ron could be seen holding her tears back.

Press: So, given the age gap between you two, can you tell us a little bit about what it was like working with Si Yoon? I imagine being just a couple of years apart is difficult, nevermind 14.

Yoon Si Yoon: Go ahead and tell them what we prepared, OK? Just as is. You can read off what was written.

Kim Sae Ron: Right. He is so kind, and he is so considerate on set. And because he looks so young, and is young, it doesn’t feel like we have a huge age gap or anything.

Yoon Si Yoon: About that… I noticed that some people think Kim Sae Ron is taking on ‘adult’ roles out of her age range, but please keep in mind that the characters are actually 17 years old. As in, I’m the one playing a 17-year-old. So if anyone has an issue, it should be with me. Do not pick on Sae Ron, please. I’m the one playing out of my age range, I’m doing the show a disservice. Sae Ron is perfect for the role, doing what she does best.

His 2016 post on his fan cafe also garnered attention for being considerate and supportive of his young co-star.

“…That all said, I have a favor to ask for our little kiddo. I don’t think I’ll ever get to act with her again, given she’s 14 years younger than I am. If you see articles about her online, please leave a supportive comment, telling her how wonderful she was. Some evil people keep trolling her with hate comments and I feel terrible. In fact, I’m going to go leave one right now! Come on, let’s go write some words of encouragement!” — Yoon Si Yoon

Given the stark difference in how Yoon Si Yoon treated Kim Sae Ron vs. what Kim Soo Hyun is alleged to have done to her, netizens are heartbroken all over again for the late actress.

• “Yoon Si Yoon was such a solid adult in her life.”
• “Yeah, this is how adults should treat minors. Protect them, not… desire them. Sigh.”
• “Look at Sae Ron tear up at Yoon Si Yoon’s comment… I guess she didn’t have a lot of good adults in her life. She seems moved by how protective he was.”
• “She almost cried… over something that should have been the norm in her life. It’s almost like no one ever told her things like that before. What a beautiful person Yoon Si Yoon is…”
• “She was on her way to becoming a solid actress until Kim Sh*thead came along and changed her trajectory forever. I’m heartbroken that she isn’t coming back to us.”
• “Look how she tears up when Yoon Si Yoon sides with her…”

Yoon Si Yoon is not the only actor whose behavior toward Kim Sae Ron was highlighted after her history with Kim Soo Hyun was revealed. Read more about what actor Seo Kang Joon had to say about his age gap here: