Allegations Surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and Gold Medalist: Key Developments
On March 19, 2025, Newsen reported on a significant meeting involving Kim Soo-hyun and representatives from Gold Medalist. They engaged with former aides of the late Kim Sae-ron, including her previous management at YG Entertainment. This meeting aimed to garner support from these individuals for Kim Soo-hyun ahead of an upcoming press conference.
An anonymous source from the entertainment sector disclosed to Newsen that the actor’s agency is actively attempting to sway Kim Sae-ron’s former associates to back their claims during the press conference.
“I understand that Gold Medalist confirmed the schedule of the late Kim Sae-ron in the months before her death, and collected data to infer her feelings. I know they have met several officials who supported this, and they are persuading one or two of them to participate in interviews or press conferences,”the anonymous source told Newsen.
Furthermore, the source claimed that Gold Medalist is preparing to present verified facts during the press conference to counter allegations directed at Kim Soo-hyun by both the Garosero YouTube channel and Kim Sae-ron’s relatives.
The Untimely Passing of Kim Sae-ron: Context and Consequences
Keenly noted for her performances in Bloodhounds and The Man From Nowhere, Kim Sae-ron tragically passed away on February 16, 2025, an event linked to multiple distressing factors, including a drunk driving incident in 2022. This incident resulted in financial repercussions and strained professional relationships.
According to Reuters, Kim Sae-ron faced overwhelming financial challenges after incurring significant fines and compensations amounting to 20 million won for fines and 700 million won in damages to numerous businesses. Reports indicate that her financial struggles compelled her to seek part-time employment in local cafés.
In a disturbing twist, Xports News revealed that her family has accused Kim Soo-hyun and Gold Medalist of isolating her and causing distress leading up to her death. They claim that Kim Sae-ron had shared a photo with Kim Soo-hyun in March 2024, raising questions about their relationship.
Allegations also surfaced that Kim Sae-ron received legal warnings from Gold Medalist aimed at prohibiting her from contacting Kim Soo-hyun or other agency talent. One notification reportedly demanded repayment of the 700 million won she owed.
Her family asserted that these measures led to her exclusion from industry networks and contributed to her emotional turmoil. They have shared evidence, including a KakaoTalk message where Kim Sae-ron purportedly pleaded for assistance regarding Gold Medalist’s legal actions, which was reportedly ignored.
Gold Medalist Responds to Accusations
Amid the turmoil, Indian Express reported on March 15 that Gold Medalist denied any wrongdoing, labeling the family’s accusations as unfounded and indicating that their involvement with Kim Sae-ron was purely professional. The agency emphasized that any financial disputes were strictly between them and the actress.
In response to claims of a distressing message sent by Kim Sae-ron asking for help, Gold Medalist refuted the allegations, asserting that the media mischaracterized the situation. They alleged that the agency had advised Kim Soo-hyun against responding to the actress’s reach-out.
On March 17, the bereaved family held a press garnering public attention, asserting their wish to vindicate Kim Sae-ron’s legacy and seeking only a public apology from Kim Soo-hyun.
During this press conference, additional insights were shared by Kim Sae-ron’s father, who elaborated on the communication failures with Gold Medalist.
“No one at Gold Medalist ever told Saeron not to be surprised, as they were sending a certified letter as a company procedure due to a breach of trust issue. After receiving the certified mail, Saeron called each and every person in the company, but no one answered the phone and no one responded,”he revealed.
The father continued, underlining Kim Sae-ron’s attempts to clarify whether her situation stemmed from Kim Soo-hyun’s personal decision or was purely the agency’s stance.
“Saeron kept in touch to confirm whether it was Kim Soo-hyun’s will or the company’s will.”
By March 18, Kbizoom reported that Gold Medalist issued a comprehensive 12-page rebuttal addressing the allegations made by both Kim Sae-ron’s family and the Garosero YouTube channel. The agency firmly denied ever sending any warning notice to Kim Sae-ron concerning her communications with Kim Soo-hyun.
In their defense, Gold Medalist also claimed that the alleged 700 million won debt was written off as “bad debt”in their audits, sharing documentation to validate their position, including a screenshot from April 1, 2024.