Trigger Warning: This article contains information about suicide, mental health struggles, and allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor, which may be distressing to some readers.
The circumstances surrounding the relationship between Korean superstar Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo Hyun have spiraled into a complex web of conflicting statements, financial pressures, and deeply troubling unanswered questions. Dispatch’s recent investigation has shed light on the intricacies of their interactions, particularly focusing on the handling of Kim Sae Ron’s financial obligations by her former agency, Gold Medalist, and the agency’s response to claims of a past romantic connection, including allegations of an inappropriate relationship when Kim Sae-ron was a minor.
Dispatch’s investigation centered on a certified notice sent by Gold Medalist to Kim Sae-ron in March 2024, demanding repayment of ₩700 million (approximately $480,000) related to compensation paid by the agency following her 2022 DUI incident.
The notice, a formal legal document, carried the threat of both civil and criminal legal action if the debt was not settled by a specific deadline.
Adding to the complexity, Dispatch obtained a message Kim Sae-ron reportedly sent to Kim Soo Hyun, pleading for more time to repay the debt.
“Oppa, this is Sae-ron. I received the letter of certification today that [your company] is suing me. You said that you would give me ample time, so I’m working hard, preparing to make a comeback. I will pay you back with a percentage from each work. I’m not saying that I won’t pay you back, but if you suddenly ask for ₩700 million (about $480,000) right now, I really can’t do anything. It’s not that I won’t pay you back, but if you suddenly ask for ₩700 million (about $480,000) right now, I really can’t do anything. It’s not that I won’t, but I can’t. Do you really have to take it as far as a lawsuit? Please save me… I beg of you. Give me some time.”
Furthermore, Dispatch’s report corroborated claims that Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun had a romantic relationship, contradicting previous staunch denials from Gold Medalist. The report suggested that Kim Sae Ron’s decision to join Gold Medalist, initially a one-person agency for Kim Soo Hyun, in 2019 was directly linked to this relationship.
Adding a particularly disturbing dimension to these revelations, it has been alleged that Korean superstar Kim Soo Hyun was in a six-year relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron that began when she was 15 years old and he was 27.
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Gold Medalist‘s initial dismissal of relationship rumors, followed by the sudden and seemingly relentless demand for debt repayment, led to widespread accusations of inconsistent treatment. The agency’s claim that they “had no intentions of receiving money from Kim Sae-ron” and that the notice was merely a “basic procedure” has been met with significant skepticism.
The report also highlights Kim Sae-ron’s efforts to repay the debt, including selling her car and convertible bonds. Despite these efforts, Gold Medalist proceeded with the formal demand. A resident from Kim Sae Ron’s apartment complex reported seeing wounds on her wrists. This detail, combined with the resident’s description of Kim Sae Ron as a young woman leading a difficult life, has resonated deeply with the public, highlighting the devastating human cost of the controversy.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with difficult emotions, please reach out for help. Here are some resources:
United Kingdom:
Samaritans: Call 116 123 (UK and Ireland)
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): Call 0800 58 58 58 (UK) or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/
US:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
The National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233
International:Befrienders Worldwide: https://www.befrienders.org/
Please remember that you are not alone, and help is available.
Feature Image: GOLDMEDALIST
