On March 10, 2025, Gold Medalist, the agency representing South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun, issued a strong denial against allegations made by the Garo Sero Institute concerning his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. The agency described the claims as false and stated they are considering legal action to combat the spreading of these harmful rumors.
The controversy intensified following the tragic news of Kim Sae-ron’s death on February 16, 2025. Painfully, this day also marked the birthday of Kim Soo-hyun, leading to widespread speculation and sensational responses across social media platforms. Kim Sae-ron, known for her career decline following various controversies, particularly around her involvement in a drunk driving incident, was found dead at her home located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
According to reports, the Garo Sero Institute had alleged during their YouTube broadcast not only was there a romantic relationship between Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun, which purportedly lasted for six years starting when she was just 15 years old, but also insinuated the agency had significantly contributed to the financial hardships Kim Sae-ron faced before her untimely death. They argued she had been coerced by her agency, leading to her subsequent struggles.
Responding to these serious accusations, the Gold Medalist agency vehemently condemned the statements made by the Garo Sero Institute as baseless and damaging. "The claims made by Garo Sero Institute's YouTube broadcast about Kim Soo-hyun are false and clearly baseless," the agency declared, asserting their commitment to addressing the alleged misinformation. Further highlighting their stance, they stated, "We are considering taking the most severe level of legal action against the spreading of false information,” reflecting their determination to protect both their artist’s reputation and integrity.
Gold Medalist did not hesitate to associate the current situation with past instances of harassment faced by Kim Sae-ron during her life. "The dissemination of false claims is reminiscent of the behavior known as 'cyber harassment', which the late Kim Sae-ron struggled with during her life," the agency asserted, emphasizing the need for greater accountability and sensitivity surrounding such narratives.
Interestingly, Garo Sero Institute claimed to have corroborated their allegations through communications with Kim Sae-ron’s family members. They presented messages allegedly written by Kim Sae-ron, dated March 24, 2024, where she reportedly denied the authenticity of the dating rumors tied to Kim Soo-hyun. Despite this, the claims of the agency corroborated the timeline of Kim Sae-ron’s professional growth and struggles, the agency confirmed she had worked without remuneration for tasks like visual directing during her time with them.
While Kim Sae-ron was linked to substantial penalties following her drunk driving episode, which had led to public backlash, the agency noted the severity of false allegations piling up against her posthumously. According to reports, she had reportedly faced severe public scrutiny after her 2022 incident, during which she managed to cause significant traffic disruptions for others and now fledgling repercussions from the more recent allegations adds another layer of tragedy to her story.
Compounding the public's sentiment of loss is the fact she was only 25 years old at the time of her death and was previously considered one of South Korea’s promising actresses. The somber coincidences surrounding the day of her death being the same as Kim Soo-hyun's birthday led to media frenzy and repercussions across online discussions.
The Gold Medalist agency expressed deep condolences over Kim Sae-ron’s passing, stating, "We feel grief at the news of Kim Sae-ron's demise, and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family during this heartbreaking time." They also highlighted their commitment to addressing the unjust actions against their agency and Kim Soo-hyun, requesting media outlets to refrain from propagations of unverified claims. "We request the community to avoid the circulation of falsehoods which only cause more harm than good," they concluded.
With the aftermath of Kim Sae-ron's tragic story playing out in public, it beckons the industry and society to reflect on the causes of such distress and reinforce supportive measures ensuring artists receive adequate care and respect amid increasing digital scrutiny.