Kim Sae Ron's death has prompted renewed scrutiny of her ties to Gold Medalist, the agency co-founded by actor Kim Soo Hyun, amid allegations the company demanded an exorbitant repayment that she was unable to fulfill. On March 2024, Dispatch reported that Gold Medalist sent the actress a formal notice ordering her to compensate the agency for damages exceeding ₩686 million KRW (about $473,000 USD). With a due date of December 31, 2023, the notice threatened both civil and criminal legal action if she did not comply. At the time, Kim Sae Ron was already struggling financially, having lost lucrative projects following a DUI conviction.

In the aftermath, Dispatch published a text message that Kim Sae Ron allegedly sent to Kim Soo Hyun in desperation. "Oppa, this is Sae Ron. I received the letter of certification today, that [your company] is suing me. You said that you would give me ample time, so I'm working hard, preparing to make a comeback. I will pay you back with a percentage from each work. I'm not saying that I won't pay you back, but if you suddenly ask for ₩700 million KRW (about $480,000 USD) right now, I really can't do anything. It's not that I won't, but I can't. Do you really have to take it as far as a lawsuit? Please save me... I beg of you. Give me some time." According to Dispatch, Kim Soo Hyun did not respond.

Dispatch also reported that Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun were once romantically involved, a connection that allegedly influenced her decision to sign with Gold Medalist. Though the company originally formed around Kim Soo Hyun as a one-person agency, critics question whether the star's personal history with Kim Sae Ron played a role in how her requests for help were handled. "Kim Sae Ron's age is the issue, which is why they will never officially admit to dating," a close acquaintance of Kim Soo Hyun told Dispatch.

After the March 2024 notice, Kim Sae Ron attempted to raise funds by selling her car and any convertible bonds she possessed, reportedly managing to gather around ₩200 million KRW (about $138,000 USD). She allegedly believed that some portion of her debt had already been settled quietly, but the sudden formal demand left her fearful that she could face a lawsuit for the outstanding balance. In the end, her agency indicated the notice was "merely a formality," and told Dispatch that they "had no intentions of receiving money" from her.

Despite these statements, Dispatch found that Kim Sae Ron remained highly distressed. She asked Kim Soo Hyun directly, "Do you have to sue me?" Sources who spoke to Dispatch revealed that her pleas went unanswered. The actress ultimately posted an old photograph of herself with Kim Soo Hyun on social media, which the publication suggests was an attempt to force his attention. Gold Medalist responded publicly by denying any romantic connection between the two, stating that the photo in question was taken years prior.

On February 16, 2025-coincidentally Kim Soo Hyun's birthday-Kim Sae Ron died by suicide, according to official reports. In the wake of her death, Dispatch sought answers about the timeline of events leading to her final days. The agency insisted, "We had no intentions of receiving money from Kim Sae Ron. We only followed basic procedures because there could have been a case of malpractice brought up." Critics, however, claim the actress was never informed that the repayment demand was mere paperwork, and that she remained convinced the threat of legal action was real.

Gold Medalist further explained that they had paid off ₩700 million KRW (about $482,000 USD) in damages to a production company on Kim Sae Ron's behalf, stemming from her DUI-related breach. "We told her she could pay it back when she brings in a profit for the company or when she can afford it," the agency stated. But the actress's text messages and alleged behavior in her final weeks suggest she never received that reassurance-or, at least, never fully believed it.

Neighbors recounted seeing her crying in the stairwell of her building and noticed what looked like a wound on her wrist. She was set to move out of her apartment on February 18, just two days after her death. A resident told Dispatch, "I thought it was about Kim Sae Ron after seeing the news. I remember seeing her cry a lot on the stairs. It seemed she had personal issues she was dealing with." Another neighbor disclosed that they "didn't even know she was an actress," only that she appeared distraught.

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