On March 26, 2025, Daily Sports revealed that the agency representing UFC star Choo Sung-hoon has officially clarified that he did not cover the funeral expenses for the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
In the days leading up to this confirmation, various rumors surfaced on social media, suggesting that the former mixed martial artist and television personality had taken on the financial responsibility for the funeral of the young actress. These claims gained traction across multiple online platforms until they were decisively refuted by Choo’s agency, BONBOOENT.
The speculation stemmed from Choo Sung-hoon’s previous appearance on the Channel A variety show, The Fishermen and the City: Palau Edition, where it was suggested the two had formed a close bond, even likening their interaction to a father-daughter relationship. Following Kim Sae-ron’s tragic death on February 16, 2025, these tales led many to believe that Choo had assisted financially with her funeral.
The agency’s statement addressed these rumors, asserting:
“The rumor that he paid all of Kim Sae Ron’s funeral expenses is not true. Choo Sung Hoon did appear as a guest on a variety show similar to the deceased in the past. However, they only met once on the program and did not develop any real relationship or friendship. Fake news that he paid all of the funeral expenses suddenly spread on SNS and YouTube.”
Kim Sae-ron: Remembering a Talented Star Amidst Controversy
The South Korean entertainment landscape is in mourning following the untimely death of Kim Sae-ron at the age of 24 on February 16, 2025, due to suicide. Her passing has reignited conversations surrounding mental health issues faced by public figures, alongside discussions regarding her personal life and the overwhelming pressures associated with celebrity status.
Kim Sae-ron began her journey in the entertainment industry at a remarkably young age, debuting at just nine years old with the 2009 film A Brand New Life, which was featured at the Cannes Film Festival. She rose to prominence for her role in the critically acclaimed 2010 film The Man from Nowhere, a smashing success that topped the box office in South Korea that year.
In May 2022, the actress faced a significant setback due to a DUI incident that negatively impacted her career and financial standing. Reports indicate that her former agency, Gold Medalist, incurred damages amounting to 700 million KRW (approximately $480,000) on her behalf to cover lawsuit settlements arising from the incident.
Following her death, speculation erupted around a rumored relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun. The YouTube channel Hoverlab alleged that they were involved when Kim Sae-ron was a minor, starting at the age of 15. This assertion was allegedly corroborated by family members of the late actress.
Initially, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, denied these allegations. However, they later confirmed that the two had dated between mid-2019 and late 2020, clarifying that Kim Sae-ron was of legal age at that time, being between 19 and 20 years old.
As of March 25, 2025, Naver reported that an individual claiming to be Kim Sae-ron’s ex-boyfriend asserted that Kim Soo-hyun had no part in her suicide. This man provided alleged hospital bills, claiming that Gold Medalist covered the expenses when Kim Sae-ron attempted self-harm in November 2024.
However, on March 26, Pannchoa revealed that this claimant was an impostor, as the hospital bills he presented were fabricated. The late actress’s family subsequently disclosed the original documentation to refute his allegations.
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