On March 21, 2025, a representative from Kim Sae-ron’s previous agency firmly denied allegations that they provided any voice recordings to the YouTuber Lee Jin-ho. In an interview with StarNews, the agency clarified that no recordings were shared with Lee Jin-ho, nor was permission granted for their use.
The spokesperson further asserted that Lee uploaded the contentious video without their authorization.
“I never provided Lee Jin-ho with the recording nor gave consent for its release,”stated the manager.
On March 19, 2025, Lee Jin-ho released a video titled “The Truth Hidden by the Bereaved Family,”which included audio of what appeared to be a conversation between a woman thought to be Kim Sae-ron and a representative from her prior agency.
The discussion reportedly touched upon sensitive topics, including rumors regarding a “marriage”and an “abortion.”This agency had been established as Kim’s new representation following her departure from GOLD MEDALIST.
In the video, Lee Jin-ho suggested that Kim Sae-ron had been married prior to her tragic death, revitalizing speculation from January 2025 when the actress had briefly shared photographs with an unidentified man.
These photos, which were quickly removed, included a cryptic caption: “Marry.”At the time, her representatives dismissed the speculations as unfounded, explaining that the images were merely from a wedding-themed photoshoot with a close friend. However, on March 20, 2025, the South Korean media outlet TV Report published a story where Kim Sae-ron’s family also dismissed claims of her purported marriage and abortion.
The deceased actress’s family characterized these claims as falsehoods. According to the Garosero Institute, they confirmed that there were no hidden aspects of Kim’s life and that her family was unaware of any marriage details.
Kim Sae-ron’s Family Takes Legal Action Against YouTuber Lee Jin-ho
In light of these developments, Kim Sae-ron’s family has initiated legal proceedings against Lee Jin-ho, alleging that he disseminated false information about their deceased daughter.
During a press conference held on March 17, 2025, at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the family’s attorney, Bu Ji-seok from law firm Buyou, elaborated on the matter. The attorney revealed that Kim Sae-ron had shared a photograph on March 24, 2024, in the hopes of reaching out to actor Kim Soo-hyun, following a notification from his agency, Goldmedalist, demanding repayment of a substantial debt of 700 million won (approximately S$642,000).
Goldmedalist, co-founded by Kim Soo-hyun, represented Kim Sae-ron until her exit in December 2022 in the aftermath of a drink-driving incident. According to Attorney Bu, she was under significant stress and had reached out to Kim Soo-hyun with the message,
“Please save me.”
When he did not respond, she reverted to sharing their old photo, believing it might elicit a reply. Attorney Bu condemned Lee for trivializing her struggles by labeling her actions as a “staged act”and propagating inaccuracies. Additionally, he claimed Lee deleted videos following her passing to eliminate evidence.
Goldmedalist repeated their demand for repayment through another notice on March 25, 2024, warning her against contacting Kim Soo-hyun or any other actors, and hinting at potential legal action regarding the shared photograph. The family’s spokesperson indicated that these repeated notifications caused severe psychological harm to Kim Sae-ron.
“It is impossible to even begin to imagine the psychological distress the deceased must have suffered after receiving such notices,”asserted Attorney Bu (via The Korea Herald).
The conference witnessed participation from Bu Ji-seok, the family’s legal counsel, Kwon Young-chan, director of the Korea Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association, and Kim Se-eui, head of HoverLab Inc. During the press conference, Kim Se-eui reiterated a call for actor Kim Soo-hyun to issue a public apology regarding the situation.
In another development, Goldmedalist has filed criminal complaints against Kim Sae-ron’s family and YouTuber Kim Sae-eui over a photograph that allegedly depicted Kim Soo-hyun in a compromising position at her residence. This image was revealed during a live stream on the Garo Sero Research Institute.