Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has dismissed allegations that the actor pressured Kim Sae Ron over financial debts, condemning false reports that frame him as responsible for her tragic passing.
In an official statement released on Friday, the agency confirmed that Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were in a relationship between 2019 and 2020. However, they denied accusations that he was involved in her financial difficulties or pressured her to repay any debts. Following Sae Ron’s passing—which coincided with Kim Soo Hyun’s birthday, speculation arose suggesting he had dated her while she was a minor.
Gold Medalist clarified that Kim Soo Hyun had no involvement in any financial disputes. Addressing claims regarding a text message Sae Ron sent him asking for leniency, they stressed that the message was taken out of context. They explained that writing off a debt requires following legal procedures, which included sending a formal notice to Kim Sae Ron. However, they emphasized that this was not intended as pressure for repayment.
“Additionally, if her debt was forgiven, there was a risk that she would have to pay a gift tax on the amount waived. The message she sent to Kim Soo Hyun on March 19, 2024, regarding her financial situation must be understood in this context.”
Kim Soo Hyun Had No Role in the Financial Dispute
The agency strongly refuted claims that Kim Soo Hyun had any direct involvement.
“The financial dispute was strictly between Gold Medalist and Kim Sae Ron. The notion that Kim Soo Hyun personally lent her money or pressured her for repayment is baseless. He never loaned her any money, nor did he demand repayment, as he was never in such a position,” the statement read.
They also confirmed that while Kim Soo Hyun had received a message from Kim Sae Ron during this period, he was advised by the agency not to respond. They pointed out that the two had been apart for nearly four years after Sae Ron left Gold Medalist.
“At the time, she had left the agency and lacked sufficient legal knowledge regarding her debt. This led her to reach out to Kim Soo Hyun, who was not involved in the matter. By then, the two had been separated for four years.”
Gold Medalist further stated that her legal team later contacted them to acknowledge the debt and discuss possible resolutions. They reiterated that linking her passing to this financial matter was not only misleading but also unfair.
Agency Condemns False Narratives
Gold Medalist directly addressed claims made by the Garo Sero Institute, which alleged that Kim Soo Hyun ignored Sae Ron’s plea for help, supposedly contributing to her tragic fate.
“He was unfairly painted as a villain who drove her to this,” the agency stated.
Gold Medalist, which represents actors such as Seol In Ah, Choi Hyun Wook, and Lee Chae Min, also disclosed that they had actively worked to reduce Kim Sae Ron’s debt from 1.14 billion KRW to 700 million KRW following her 2022 drunk-driving incident. Additionally, they denied accusations of seizing her car, clarifying that they facilitated its sale to help alleviate her financial burden.
The agency asserted that from Kim Sae Ron’s perspective, she may have believed her debt to them had been fully settled. They explained that they had waived the repayment, eliminated interest and late fees, and ensured she would not face additional tax burdens.
Gold Medalist urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation, emphasizing that Kim Soo Hyun had no involvement in the financial dispute and condemning attempts to falsely link him to the tragedy.