On March 31, Kim Soo-hyun took the stage at a press conference to address allegations and reports regarding his involvement with the late Kim Sae-ron.
The actor appeared emotional as he shared his side of the situation, but viewers reacted negatively to his statements, expressing anger and frustration. His remarks led to him being dubbed the “King of Tears,” a reference to his hit 2024 K-drama Queen of Tears with Kim Ji-won.
With negative traction intensifying, reports suggest that his agency, GOLDMEDALIST, used the press conference as an attempt to salvage its reputation and address financial struggles.
Internal sources have confirmed that “the company’s funds have nearly dried up.” As a result, the situation has reportedly become so dire that the agency was forced to suspend its contract with an external cleaning service, fueling speculation that the company “is on the verge of collapse.”
As per an M&A expert familiar with situation, GOLMEDALIST once maintained a surplus of roughly ₩2-3 billion (approximately ₱78-117 million) in company accounts. With over 20 endorsements pulled from the actor, this has cost a drastic turn as a handful of advertisers have demanded penalties.
GOLDMEDALIST is yet to speak on these reports, but notions have been raised about the company’s active seeking for outside investment. A source from the financial industry claimed, “The company reportedly needed to secure around 6 billion KRW (approximately ₱234 million) before the press conference. I’ve also heard they’ve halted services from an outsourced cleaning company. If that’s true, restructuring among staff might be next.”
Soo-hyun has since filed a ₩12 billion (approximately ₱468 million) lawsuit for damages against the late Sae-ron’s family member, an unnamed aunt, together with operator Garosero Research Institute that reported their claims through a YouTube video on the actor’s involvement with the deceased actress.
Legal experts point out that the legal action taken shows a lack of other viable options for resolution. Whether GOLDMEDALIST and Kim Soo-hyun can prove a link that directs their monetary losses and the three defendants’ actions will be a major factor in the impending legal dispute.
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