Gold Medalist Agency Remembers Late Actress Kim Sae-ron

The sudden passing of actress Kim Sae-ron has prompted her former agency, Gold Medalist, to express their condolences. On February 17, following the news of Kim's death, Gold Medalist stated, "We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate news of Kim Sae-ron. We extend our heartfelt condolences and wish for her peaceful rest." Kim was signed with Gold Medalist from January 2020 until December 2022.

However, her contract was not renewed after she was involved in a drunk driving incident in May 2022, which led to her being caught by the police. Following this incident, Kim continued her career without being affiliated with any agency.

The drunk driving accident involved Kim crashing into guardrails, trees, and transformers multiple times, causing significant controversy. At the time, her blood alcohol level was measured at over 0.2%, exceeding the legal limit for driving. This incident affected her ongoing projects, leading to Netflix's series 'Hunting Dogs' editing out some of her scenes and her departure from the SBS drama 'Trolley'.

The day after the accident, Kim posted a handwritten apology, stating, "I should have acted more cautiously and responsibly, but I failed to do so. I sincerely apologize. I am currently working with my agency to address the damages caused by the accident and will do my best to communicate and resolve everything until the end."

In August 2023, Kim made her return through the music video for the single 'Bitterswater' by IVE Brothers, approximately 15 months after the accident and four months after receiving a fine in the first trial. However, public perception of her return remained cold.

Gold Medalist also covered the penalties Kim faced due to her departure from the drama and the business losses incurred by companies affected by the transformer damage. They reportedly did not set a repayment period, considering Kim's lack of income during that time.

Additionally, the agency had to clarify rumors regarding a supposed romantic relationship between Kim and actor Kim Soo-hyun. Last year, Kim Sae-ron shared a photo of herself with Kim Soo-hyun, which sparked dating rumors, but the agency confirmed that these rumors were unfounded. They stated, "The dating rumors involving Kim Soo-hyun are completely false. The photo circulating online appears to be from when they were both under the same agency, and we cannot ascertain the intent behind Kim Sae-ron's actions."

Gold Medalist emphasized that they would take strong legal action against any defamatory comments or malicious posts that could harm the reputation and dignity of their artists. They urged the public to refrain from spreading baseless rumors or speculative content regarding the situation.