On March 17, 2025, a significant development arose in the ongoing controversy surrounding South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun. As reported by TV Report News, his manager has been accused of collaborating with YouTuber Lee Jin-ho in an alleged defamation campaign against the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
The accusations were voiced by the YouTube channel Garosero during a press briefing held by Kim Sae-ron’s family outside the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. This event followed a series of tragic circumstances involving the actress.
Background: Kim Sae-ron’s Troubling Journey
In May 2022, Kim Sae-ron found herself embroiled in a serious incident involving drunk driving, which led to widespread public disapproval and harsh legal outcomes. This incident severely affected her career, forcing her into a hiatus from the entertainment industry. She was fined a total of 720 million won (approximately $496,996), encompassing both penalties and fines.
Tragically, on February 16, 2025, at just 24 years old, Kim was discovered deceased in her home located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Authorities have stated that there were no indicators of foul play.
New Allegations Emerge
During the March 17 press conference, Garosero claimed that several managers from Gold Medalist, Kim Sae-ron’s management agency, maintained frequent contact with Lee Jin-ho. This accusation comes on the heels of allegations made by Garosero regarding Kim Sae-ron’s dating history, which were first introduced on March 10, 2025.
“We have found that two managers, who are believed to be affiliated with Gold Medalist, were in frequent contact with Lee Jin-ho. In particular, while the late Kim Sae-ron was reflecting on herself due to a drunk-driving accident, she never said anywhere where she was working part-time, but Lee Jin-ho kept track of her, which raises suspicions.”
Claims of Financial Pressure from Kim Soo-hyun
At the same briefing, Kim Sae-ron’s family alleged that Kim Soo-hyun pressured the actress regarding her communication methods, specifically requesting that she use Telegram instead of KakaoTalk. They highlighted a distressing message sent by Kim Sae-ron that appeared to indicate she was pleading for help.
This message, reportedly sent on March 19, 2024, was shared by Kim Sae-ron’s family during a Garosero live stream.
“Kim Soo-hyun asked the late Kim Sae-ron to talk on Telegram, not KakaoTalk. We don’t know why their relationship ended, but looking at the text messages, it seems like she was imploring him to save her. It suggests their breakup was not a result of a major fight.”
The family also mentioned that Kim Sae-ron had posted a photo of herself alongside Kim Soo-hyun in March 2024, which ignited public speculation regarding their past romantic involvement. Allegedly, Gold Medalist instructed her to remove the image from her social media and followed up with a legal demand for 700 million won ($483,186).
Furthermore, they asserted that subsequent to this incident, Lee Jin-ho uploaded videos that contained defamatory content, damaging Kim Sae-ron’s reputation.
“After Kim Sae-ron uploaded a photo of herself kissing Kim Soo-hyun, Gold Medalist contacted her to remove the image. The following day, they sent the first certified letter, and soon after, Lee Jin-ho’s videos began to flood the internet.”
Response from Gold Medalist and Demands from the Family
On March 14, 2025, The Korea Times reported that Gold Medalist initially denied the dating allegations but later adjusted their statement, acknowledging a relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron that spanned from summer 2019 to fall 2020. However, Kim Sae-ron’s family contested this timeline, claiming the relationship commenced when the actress was a minor, and they have called for an official apology from both Kim Soo-hyun and his agency.
Additionally, they requested that Gold Medalist recognize Kim Sae-ron as one of the founding members of the company due to her early contributions.
Currently, Kim Sae-ron’s family is preparing to file a criminal defamation complaint against YouTuber Lee Jin-ho, amid ongoing efforts to reclaim her legacy.