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Gold Medalist’s demand for repayment: What happened before Kim Sae Ron’s death?
According to Dispatch, in March 2024, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency sent Kim Sae Ron an official “Certificate of Contents, asking for repayment for damages caused”. Sae Ron was among Gold Medalist’s top stars in 2022 when a ‘driving under influence’ conviction derailed her career and sent her into a spiral of depression.
However, the Gold Medalist agency claimed that she still owed them ₩686 million KRW (approximately $473,000), with a due date that had already passed (December 31, 2023.) The letter warned that if she failed to pay, the agency would pursue both civil and criminal legal action against her.
Sae Ron faced financial pressure and desperation
At the time, Kim Sae Ron was reportedly struggling financially. As the sole breadwinner of her family, she took multiple responsibilities while dealing with mounting debt. Her contract with Gold Medalist had not been renewed, and she believed her debts might have been quietly settled. But the sudden notice shocked her to the core. Feeling cornered, she sent an emotional SOS to actor Kim Soo Hyun.
Dispatch obtained a message Kim Sae Ron sent to Kim Soo Hyun, who was not only a top actor but also the co-owner of Gold Medalist. “Oppa, this is Sae Ron. I received a certification letter today saying [your company] is suing me. You promised to give me time, and I’m working hard to make a comeback. I said I’d pay you back with my earnings, bit by bit. It’s not that I won’t pay—it’s that I can’t right now. If you suddenly demand ₩700 million KRW, I really have no way. Do you really have to go as far as suing me? Please, save me… I’m begging you. Give me some time.”
Dispatch reported that Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun were previously romantically linked. According to the K-media report she initially signed with his agency because of that connection. Despite their history, the Queen of Tears star reportedly did not respond to her pleas. Later, Kim uploaded an old photo of the two together, seemingly trying to get his attention.
Kim Sae Ron was about to release a statement
Dispatch contacted Kim Sae Ron shortly after the situation went viral on social media. She then gave a brief response. “I’m sorry, I can’t give you the response you want right now.” She ended the conversation by thanking the reporter and asking them not to publicise their chat. Despite privately backing off on repayment demands, Gold Medalist’s actions and public statements raised eyebrows. They insisted they had no intention of collecting repayment from Kim Sae Ron and that the notice was merely a “formality.”
On February 16, 2025, Kim Sae Ron passed away. The date was also Kim Soo Hyun’s birthday. After her death, Dispatch revisited the repayment issue with Gold Medalist.
The agency explained that they had paid the debt on her behalf to the production company behind Bloodhounds, which demanded compensation following her DUI scandal. Gold Medalist reiterated that they never expected to recoup the money from her.
However, Dispatch’s reporting suggests Kim Sae Ron did not fully understand this. To raise funds, she sold her car and convertible bonds, managing to gather (around $138,000 USD). On the other hand, Gold Medalist denied any romantic ties between Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron, claiming the photo she shared was old and unrelated to the current situation.
