WATCH: Emotional Kim Soo-hyun denies underage dating accusation

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun on Monday (March 31) denied allegations that he dated deceased actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underaged, saying in tears that he could not "admit what is not true."

Brands including Prada have cut ties with the actor amid the controversy over his relationship with Kim Sae-ron, who was found dead in February in a suspected suicide. She was 24.

The 37-year-old actor said he dated Kim Sae-ron five years ago for about a year, but not when she was underaged, and that a YouTube exposé released earlier this month cited testimonies and evidence that were false, including screenshots of messages that could not be from the actress.

Kim Sae-ron was born in 2000. The age of consent in South Korea is 16.

Lawyers representing Kim Soo-hyun and his agency said on Monday they had sued people involved in the YouTube exposé for a total of 12 billion won ($8.15 million) in damages, and reported them to the authorities for defamation and violation of the information protection act.

A lawyer representing the relatives of Kim Sae-ron could not be immediately reached for comment.

Kim Soo-hyun rose to fame in South Korea and China over his role in hit South Korean drama series "My Love from the Star" and "Queen of Tears."