On March 11, 2025, Pannatic broke news regarding serious allegations made by the late actress Kim Sae-ron’s aunt against Gold Medalist, the agency representing actor Kim Soo-hyun. The accusation reveals that shortly after Kim Sae-ron’s DUI incident in 2022, the agency sought an astonishing penalty of over 20 billion KRW (approximately $13.7 million).
At the time of her incident, Kim Sae-ron was signed under the same agency as Kim Soo-hyun, making these claims particularly pertinent. Following a collision with an electricity transformer, several local businesses reportedly faced significant financial setbacks due to resultant power outages. Rather than allowing Kim Sae-ron’s family to investigate the damages and negotiate appropriate compensation, the agency purportedly chose to dictate the financial terms, stepping in to manage the settlement unilaterally.
According to her aunt, Kim Sae-ron’s parents had initially placed their trust in Gold Medalist, under the impression that the agency would navigate this crisis for their daughter’s benefit. Kim Soo-hyun had joined Gold Medalist in 2020 and remains with the agency to this day.
Contrary to expectations of support, the agency is accused of shifting the entire financial burden onto Kim Sae-ron. They later served her with a legal notice demanding 700 million KRW (around $480,000). While this amount was far less than the original claim, it still presented a daunting challenge for the actress. Allegations indicate that Gold Medalist enlisted three attorneys to pursue this demand rigorously.
“As you said, when an artist goes through something like this, the agency should work together to resolve the issue, shouldn’t they? When she crashed into the electricity transformer and businesses reported severe damages, the penalties skyrocketed to an unreasonable amount… At first, they were talking about over 20 billion KRW for penalty fees.”
According to the aunt, Kim Sae-ron felt utterly devastated upon receiving the legal notice. She desperately attempted to reach out to Kim Soo-hyun but found him unreachable. Disturbingly, she claimed that individuals in his circle were instructed to cut ties with Sae-ron, further isolating her during a critical time.
Insights into Kim Sae-ron’s Legal and Financial Challenges
The troubling details concerning Kim Sae-ron’s financial distress intensified following her aunt’s revelations. The actress reportedly faced immense difficulty in securing funds, to the extent of borrowing from acquaintances to meet her obligations. The abrupt legal demand only exacerbated her already precarious position.
Following the expiration of her contract with Gold Medalist in 2024, Kim Sae-ron received a formal notice for repayment. Reports from Kbizoom, dated March 10, 2025, highlight her attempts to reach out to Kim Soo-hyun, which were unsuccessful. Allegedly, a message from Sae-ron was uncovered, in which she implored him for time to repay her debts.
“Oppa, this is Sae Ron. I received the letter of certification today, that [your company] is suing me. You said that you would give me ample time, so I’m working hard, preparing to make a comeback. I will pay you back with a percentage from each work.”
She continued her appeal:
“I’m not saying that I won’t pay you back, but if you suddenly ask for ₩700 million KRW (about $480,000) right now, I really can’t do anything. It’s not that I won’t, but I can’t. Do you really have to take it as far as a lawsuit? Please save me… I beg of you. Give me some time.”
Feeling increasingly isolated amid overwhelming pressure, she reportedly shared a nostalgic photo featuring herself and Kim Soo-hyun, hoping to elicit a response from him, particularly during the success of “Queen of Tears,”which stars Soo-hyun alongside Kim Ji-won. However, instead of receiving the support she desperately needed, she was met with yet another legal notice accusing her of tarnishing his reputation.
To date, Gold Medalist has yet to comment on the latest allegations surrounding their treatment of Kim Sae-ron. Tragically, Kim Sae-ron was found deceased on February 16, 2025—coincidentally coinciding with Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday—adding a profound layer of complexity to this already distressing case.