Gold Medalist demands Kim Saeron to pay 680 million won within a year, 'Sagatyal' penalty estimated liquidation amount
It has been confirmed on the 12th that the damages claimed by Gold Medalist, an entertainment planning company established by actor Kim Soo Hyun, to the late Kim Saeron were related to the costs associated with the Netflix drama 'Sagatyal,' not the expenses incurred from the late's drunk driving accident.
According to the agreement written by Gold Medalist and the late Kim Saeron on November 22, 2022, they confirmed that Kim Saeron had an outstanding balance of 668.64 million won in advertising and drama appearance contract fees due to the drunk driving accident that occurred on May 18 of the same year.
The deadline for Kim Saeron to repay the amount demanded by Gold Medalist is December 31, 2023. The demand was to settle the damages claimed, estimated as a penalty, within about a year.
Kim Saeron also agreed to the sale cost of the Range Rover Defender vehicle he owned, which was delegated by Gold Medalist.
Later on, in March of last year, Gold Medalist appointed the law firm LKBN Partners as its legal representative to send a proof document to Kim Saeron demanding to repay 686.64 million won. LKBN Partners is a law firm that was also mentioned in relation to President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial.
LKBN Partners stated, "You (Kim Saeron) have failed to settle the above-mentioned debt despite the deadline approaching," and urged, "Our law firm, on behalf of the client (Gold Medalist), urges you to deposit the full amount of the above-mentioned debt into the following account as soon as possible."
They further warned, "If you do not make the payment, our client will take legal actions against you both civilly and criminally."
The damages claimed by Gold Medalist from Kim Saeron were initially assumed to be related to drunk driving compensation. However, it was revealed that they were related to the expenses associated with the drama 'Sagatyal' in which Kim Saeron starred. The compensation related to Kim Saeron's drunk driving accident was reportedly settled by the late's own efforts.
Although Kim Saeron was cast as the lead in 'Sagatyal,' due to the late's drunk driving incident, the late's screen time was minimized, and it was released in June 2023.
Director Kim Joo Hwan, who directed 'Sagatyal,' mentioned in a roundtable interview in June 2023, "Kim Saeron was initially a lead actor with significant screentime. (Due to editing) there might be unjust treatment towards some actors," adding, "There are cases where actors who were supposed to appear with that friend have lost their screentime. It's unfortunate."
After receiving the proof document, Kim Saeron sent a message to Kim Soo Hyun on March 24 last year, saying, "I have received the proof document. You're going to sue me. You said you would give me enough time, so I'm working hard to prepare for my return and gradually pay off a percentage of each work. If you ask for 700 million won right away, I really can't do it. It's not that I don't want to, I just can't. Do we have to go to court? Please give me some time. Give me some time." Kim Soo Hyun reportedly did not respond to the late's contact.
Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Saeron are entangled in rumors of romantic involvement. It was revealed to the public by the late's family that they had been in a relationship for about six years since 2016 when the late was a minor (15 years old at the time).
The late Kim Saeron's family stated in an interview with Garo Sero Research on the 10th, "It is true that Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Saeron were in a romantic relationship," and added, "Kim Saeron worked without compensation to help Gold Medalist establish their company, but was abandoned without a word of gratitude."
Gold Medalist expressed its position that claims such as the assertion that the late Kim Saeron had been in a relationship with Kim Soo Hyun since the age of 15, and that the management response of the late's agency was inadequate at the time of the drunk driving accident, were false and hinted at legal actions.
Subsequently, photos and materials supporting the romantic relationship between the late Kim Saeron and Kim Soo Hyun were disclosed, but Gold Medalist has not issued further statements.