Gold Medalist's 680 million KRW (about $462,400) claim against late Kim Sae Ron: 'Bloodhounds' penalty, not DUI costs

As of March 12, it has been confirmed that the 680 million KRW (about $462,400) compensation claim filed by entertainment agency Gold Medalist against the late actress Kim Sae Ron was not related to her DUI accident costs but rather to penalties associated with her involvement in the Netflix drama Bloodhounds.

According to a confirmation letter signed by Gold Medalist and Kim Sae Ron on November 22, 2022, they acknowledged that the outstanding settlement balance for her advertisement and drama appearance contracts, which were affected by her DUI accident on May 18, 2022, amounted to 680 million KRW (about $462,400).

Gold Medalist set the repayment deadline for December 31, 2023, requesting that Kim settle the amount, presumably as a contractual penalty, within a year. She also agreed to entrust the agency with the sale of her Range Rover Defender to help cover the costs.

Subsequently, on March 15, 2023, Gold Medalist appointed the law firm LKB & Partners as its legal representative and sent an official document demanding Kim repay the 680 million KRW (about $462,400). LKB & Partners is also known for representing the National Assembly in the impeachment case of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

LKB & Partners stated in the document, "Despite the repayment deadline, you (Kim Sae Ron) have not fulfilled the debt obligation. Our law firm, representing Gold Medalist, urges you to make a full deposit of the amount into the specified account as soon as possible."

The firm further warned, "If you fail to make the payment, our client will take civil and criminal legal action against you."

Previously, it was speculated that the claim against Kim was related to her DUI settlement, but it was actually compensation tied to Bloodhounds. It has been reported that Kim personally covered her DUI-related settlement costs.

Kim was originally cast as a lead in 'Bloodhounds,' but following her DUI incident, her screen time was significantly reduced before the series was eventually released on Netflix in June 2023. Director Kim Joo Hwan commented in a June 2023 interview, "Kim Sae Ron originally had substantial screen time. Due to edits, some actors who appeared alongside her lost their parts entirely. It was unfortunate."

After receiving the demand letter, Kim reached out to Gold Medalist’s founder, actor Kim Soo Hyun, on March 24, 2023, saying, "I received a legal notice. They’re suing me. They initially said they’d give me time, so I’ve been preparing for my return. I was planning to gradually pay it off with each new project, even if just a small percentage at a time. But if they demand 700 million KRW (about $525,000)all at once, I really can’t do it. It’s not that I refuse to pay—it’s that I physically can’t. Does it really have to go to court? Please, help me. Just give me more time." However, it has been reported that Kim Soo Hyun did not respond.

Adding to the controversy, Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron have been embroiled in dating rumors. The late actress’s family revealed that the two had been in a relationship for approximately six years, starting in 2016 when Kim Sae Ron was just 15 years old.

In a recent interview on March 10 with Garosero Research Institute, Kim Sae Ron’s family confirmed, "Yes, Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were in a romantic relationship. She worked for free to help establish Gold Medalist, yet they discarded her like trash."

Gold Medalist released an official statement denying the claims, saying, "The allegations that Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun were dating from the age of 15 and that the agency mishandled her DUI accident are false." The company also warned of legal action against the spread of misinformation.

Despite subsequent leaks of photos and evidence supporting claims of their relationship, Gold Medalist has yet to release any additional statements.