In the early hours of March 13, 2025, South Korean actress Seo Yea-ji publicly refuted any affiliations with her fellow actor Kim Soo-hyun and his cousin, Lee Sa-rang, amid a swirling controversy involving their agency, Gold Medalist. The actress addressed the situation through a message posted on her fan café, expressing her frustration regarding the persistent rumors linking her to the issue.
Upon her fans’ reactions, including a comment on social media expressing disappointment, Seo opted to delete her original post. One user remarked,
“Unnie, please don’t let us down again. I just read about it on TikTok,”
In her clarification, Seo Yea-ji admitted to responding initially, but quickly recognized that her reply could stir further misunderstandings. In a heartfelt message to her devoted fans, whom she affectionately calls “Yeyes,” she shared her emotional turmoil:
“My dearest Yeyes, I’m only human… So this has been overwhelming, stressful… and I’m so sick and tired of it all. It saddens me and suffocates me… I’ve been holding back and back… but I ended up responding to this comment. I deleted it, though.”
Continuing, she expressed her desire for the rumors to cease:
“I wish people would… please… stop. I am in no way affiliated with him and his cousin. I don’t even know why I have to explain myself… but I’m just extra frustrated tonight… Good night, Yeyes.”
This recent incident is not the first time Seo has been embroiled in controversies related to Gold Medalist. Previously, she faced allegations of being “rude”to staff members, raising questions about her conduct in the industry.
Seo Yea-ji’s Complicated Past with Gold Medalist
The past dating rumors involving Seo Yea-ji, Kim Soo-hyun, and director Lee Robe have resurfaced, drawing attention once again. As reported by Chosun Biz, Lee Robe, who is Kim Soo-hyun’s cousin, was previously associated with Seo in a tangled narrative of relationships.
In June 2020, the late entertainment journalist Kim Yong-ho alleged that Seo Yea-ji had romantic relationships with both Kim Soo-hyun and director Lee Robe, claiming she dated the latter after parting ways with the former. However, no confirmation or denial came from Seo, Kim, or their agency, leading these rumors to linger without resolution.
The speculation intensified as Seo Yea-ji and Kim Soo-hyun co-starred in the acclaimed series It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, yet both parties maintained silence on the matter, as did Gold Medalist.
Seo Yea-ji and the other actors, including Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, were part of the same agency, Gold Medalist. However, following her controversial situation in 2021 involving actor Kim Jung-hyun, she distanced herself from the agency. Allegations surfaced that she had exercised controlling behavior over Kim during the filming of their 2018 drama Time. She later acknowledged her actions in 2022, calling them “immature.”
Meanwhile, Kim Sae-ron, who was part of Gold Medalist from 2020 until her passing on February 16, 2025, had her own set of controversies. Seo attended her funeral, showcasing her connection to the late actress.
Furthermore, Gold Medalist has firmly denied rumors claiming Kim Soo-hyun dated the late Kim Sae-ron when she was underage, labeling such allegations as unfounded. The agency announced intentions to pursue legal action against parties disseminating these claims, emphasizing their commitment to accountability.