In a recent statement, Gold Medalist, the agency of renowned actor Kim Soo Hyun, confirmed his past relationship with actress Kim Sae Ron, but strongly denied allegations that the two were involved prior to her adulthood. This follows growing public controversy and backlash stemming from claims made by Gaseyeon, a media outlet that recently broadcast accusations that Kim Soo Hyun had been involved in the mistreatment of Kim Sae Ron during their time together.
Gold Medalist initially had planned to take a week to prepare a detailed response to the allegations. However, they announced today that the severity of Kim Soo Hyun’s psychological distress had led them to release a statement earlier than planned. The agency revealed that after the broadcast by Gaseyeon on March 12, Kim Soo Hyun had been experiencing significant emotional and mental strain. Reports indicated that individuals with cameras had been stationed outside the company’s building, heightening the actor’s distress. In their statement, Gold Medalist confirmed that Kim Soo Hyun had been experiencing confusion related to the allegations, leading them to urgently clarify the key issues surrounding the accusations.
The Relationship Timeline
The most significant claim that has sparked the public’s outrage involves the nature of Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron’s relationship. Gaseyeon had previously implied that the two had been involved while Kim Sae Ron was still a minor. In their statement, Gold Medalist vehemently denied this, asserting that their relationship only began once Kim Sae Ron turned 19, in the summer of 2019, and ended in the fall of 2020.
READ MORE: Jelena Dokic’s Powerful Reminder on the True Meaning of Beauty
According to the agency, all photos presented by Gaseyeon as evidence of the alleged relationship during Kim Sae Ron’s teenage years were misinterpreted. The agency provided timestamps and metadata to back up their claims, including specific details about clothing items worn by Kim Sae Ron that were only available after 2019. They further clarified that the photos presented by Gaseyeon, which allegedly showed the pair together during 2016, were actually taken in December 2019, after Kim Sae Ron had reached adulthood.
Gold Medalist highlighted that the images released by Gaseyeon were taken in 2019 and 2020, during the period when Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were dating. The agency pointed to inconsistencies between the timeline of the photos and claims that the two were together in 2016. They also emphasized that any prior interactions between the two were based on friendship and not a romantic relationship. The letter Kim Soo Hyun sent to Kim Sae Ron while serving in the military in 2018, for instance, was presented as nothing more than a casual letter to a friend, reflecting the close bond the two shared at that time.
The Letters and Alleged Nicknames
Another aspect of the controversy revolved around letters and nicknames exchanged between the two. Kim Sae Ron had shared a letter from Kim Soo Hyun on her social media, which some critics interpreted as evidence of a romantic relationship. Gold Medalist responded by explaining that the letters Kim Soo Hyun wrote during his military service were sent to several of his close friends, not just Kim Sae Ron, and the phrase “I miss you” used in the letters was simply part of a casual, friendly tone that soldiers commonly adopt in correspondence.
The issue of the nickname used by Kim Sae Ron was also addressed. Some had suggested that the name was a private pet name between the two, hinting at a secretive romantic connection. However, the agency claimed that the nickname was something Kim Sae Ron had been using publicly on social media since 2016, long before the two were romantically involved. They argued that the public use of the nickname did not indicate a private, intimate relationship between the two.
Financial Disputes and Legal Matters
A major part of the scandal involves the financial strain that Kim Sae Ron experienced following a drunk driving (DUI) incident. Gaseyeon and other sources had suggested that Kim Soo Hyun had pressured Kim Sae Ron financially, particularly in connection with her acting contracts and legal matters. However, Gold Medalist denied these allegations, clarifying that the financial issues were strictly between Kim Sae Ron and the company, with no involvement from Kim Soo Hyun.
Gold Medalist explained that after the DUI incident, they worked closely with Kim Sae Ron to help mitigate the financial damage she had caused. They noted that the total penalties from the accident amounted to 1.14 billion KRW, but through negotiation, they managed to reduce her financial burden to approximately 700 million KRW. The agency stressed that Kim Soo Hyun had no involvement in these financial matters, and any legal notices sent to Kim Sae Ron were a formality handled by the company’s legal team, not the actor.
The agency further emphasized that Kim Soo Hyun had never loaned money to Kim Sae Ron, nor did he ever demand repayment from her. They clarified that Kim Soo Hyun had no authority over the financial matters between Kim Sae Ron and the company and that she had mistakenly contacted him regarding the issue after leaving the agency.
Response to the Claims of Malpractice
Gold Medalist also addressed the notion that the agency’s actions had caused Kim Sae Ron undue stress, leading to her tragic passing. The agency firmly denied this claim, insisting that they had always treated Kim Sae Ron with care and understanding. They highlighted their efforts to support her during the settlement process and ease her financial burden by offering favorable terms, including waiving gift taxes and reducing late fees and interest charges to zero percent. They expressed their disappointment at how their efforts to help Kim Sae Ron had been misrepresented in the media.
The agency also emphasized that after the settlement was concluded, Kim Sae Ron was considered free from financial obligations to Gold Medalist, and no further demands for repayment were made. They reiterated that linking her passing to any financial issues with the company was baseless and unfair.
Public Reactions and Skepticism
Despite Gold Medalist’s attempts to clear Kim Soo Hyun’s name, public sentiment has remained divided. Netizens have pointed out various inconsistencies in the agency’s statements, including discrepancies in the timeline of Kim Sae Ron’s hairstyle and the types of filters used in photos that were allegedly taken in 2019. Some online commentators have suggested that the circumstantial evidence raises doubts about the validity of the agency’s claims, though the debate is ongoing.
As this case continues to unfold, the public remains divided over who is telling the truth. While Gold Medalist has vigorously defended Kim Soo Hyun’s actions, the matter has sparked broader discussions about celebrity relationships, media representation, and accountability within the entertainment industry. For now, it remains to be seen whether further evidence will emerge to shed light on the complex nature of this highly publicized dispute.
