On March 17, 2025, Xports News, a South Korean media outlet, reported that Gold Medalist, the entertainment agency representing actor Kim Soo-hyun, has denied allegations involving actress Seo Ye-ji. The accusations suggest that Seo Ye-ji was employed as a diversion to deflect attention from ongoing internal controversies surrounding Kim Soo-hyun. Seo Ye-ji co-starred with Kim Soo-hyun in the acclaimed 2020 drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. An anonymous source claiming to be a former staff member of Gold Medalist alleged that the agency propagated false rumors regarding Seo Ye-ji.
These allegations included claims of school violence and mistreatment of staff, purportedly orchestrated to manipulate public perception. Notably, Kim Soo-hyun’s cousin, Lee Sa-rang, a significant figure within Gold Medalist, was said to be behind these deceptive tactics to safeguard the company’s reputation.
In the wake of these serious allegations, Gold Medalist issued a public statement on March 18, vehemently refuting the claims. The agency labeled the rumors as unfounded, asserting that they had never engaged in any malicious activities against Seo Ye-ji. Their official stance emphasized:
“The claim that Gold Medalist slandered Seo Ye-ji is completely false. Seo Ye-ji’s manager (who has now left the company) also contacted us, shocked by the rumors. We ask that you immediately stop spreading false information based on anonymous reports.”
The statement from Gold Medalist revealed that even Seo Ye-ji’s former manager was taken aback by the accusations, prompting efforts to clear the air regarding the situation. The agency urged the public to refrain from sharing misleading information that could adversely affect all parties concerned.
The controversy surrounding Gold Medalist intensified after Seo Ye-ji’s name was linked to Kim Soo-hyun amidst the tragic passing of actress Kim Sae-ron on February 16. Rumors emerged suggesting a six-year relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron, allegedly occurring when Kim Sae-ron was a minor. Compounding the situation, reports indicated that Kim Soo-hyun sought 700 million KRW from Kim Sae-ron, allegedly for financial assistance related to her DUI incident—claims that Gold Medalist categorically denied.
Seo Ye-ji: Past Controversies and Current Allegations
The controversies surrounding Seo Ye-ji are not new. In 2021, she faced scrutiny for allegedly manipulating co-star Kim Jung-hyun during the filming of the drama Time, which reportedly resulted in his cold demeanor towards co-star Seohyun. Following the backlash, Seo Ye-ji opted for a hiatus before making a comeback with the series Eve in 2022. However, unfounded rumors persisted, including accusations of staff mistreatment and allegations of school violence.
Recently, online speculation reignited as netizens began connecting Seo Ye-ji’s past controversies to Gold Medalist’s alleged strategies to shift public perception away from their internal struggles. This raised questions about whether the agency had inflated or even fabricated her past issues to obscure their ongoing conflicts.
Acknowledging the escalating speculation, Seo Ye-ji took to her fan café to express her frustration at being drawn into discussions about Kim Soo-hyun and his agency. In a heartfelt message dated March 13, she revealed her distress and exasperation over the ongoing rumors:
“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.”
She further stated:
“I deleted it, though. 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.”
While Gold Medalist stands firm in denying all accusations related to Seo Ye-ji, the surrounding controversy continues to incite significant public discourse.