On April 11, 2023, Top Star News, a notable South Korean media outlet, reported that Gold Medalist, the agency representing popular actor Kim Soo-hyun, is currently under scrutiny for alleged stock manipulation. The report highlighted suspicious activities concerning Siwon School, a well-known online education platform listed on the KOSDAQ, which exhibited unusual increases in its stock value.
As a result of these claims, police have initiated investigations. Early findings suggest that Gold Medalist is intertwined with these allegations. Siwon School’s share prices reportedly soared from approximately 1,000 KRW to an impressive 10,000 KRW over a span of just nine months.
This dramatic rise reportedly began in July three years ago; however, the spike proved unsustainable, with share prices retreating to their previous levels in the subsequent two months. In light of these developments, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), part of the Financial Services Commission, has lodged a complaint with the police citing potential market manipulation.
Moreover, the Korea Exchange (KRX) raised flags concerning Siwon School’s trading irregularities. It’s worth noting that Siwon School features a distinctive ownership structure, with 50% of its shares held by a private investment partnership that includes an entertainment agency.
The Garosero Research Institute has reported that this entertainment agency is Gold Medalist, raising further concern. In pursuit of clarity, KBS reached out to the unnamed agency for comment regarding the allegations, but the agency vehemently denied involvement in any stock manipulation, asserting:
“We had no involvement whatsoever in the trading of the stock in question.”
Overview of Kim Soo-hyun’s Dating Controversy with Kim Sae-ron
In a related controversy, the Garosero Research Institute announced on March 11 that Kim Soo-hyun allegedly dated actress Kim Sae-ron for six years, from 2015 to 2021. This revelation has sparked serious allegations of grooming, particularly due to the age disparity, as Soo-hyun was 27 while Kim was only 15 during their initial involvement.
Moreover, it has been disclosed that Kim Sae-ron was associated with Gold Medalist since the agency’s inception in 2019. During her DUI case in 2022, the agency provided her with financial assistance amounting to 700 million KRW to cover compensation fees. Although she subsequently departed from Gold Medalist, there was an agreement for gradual repayment of that debt.
As her financial situation became dire, Kim Sae-ron attempted to contact Soo-hyun for support, reportedly with no response from him. This lack of communication exacerbated her financial distress, ultimately leading to her tragic death by suicide on February 16, 2025, coinciding with Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday.
This incident has led to accusations directed at Kim Soo-hyun and Gold Medalist concerning responsibility for Kim Sae-ron’s tragic end. In their defense, the agency has reiterated that while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were indeed in a relationship, it only occurred after she had reached the age of majority. They also clarified that the actor was not directly involved in the financial disputes between her and the agency.
Meanwhile, the Garosero Research Institute continues to publish further evidence to substantiate their claims regarding the nature of the relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron.