As of February 18, it has been revealed that the late actress Kim Sae Ron, who tragically passed away on February 16, was deeply in debt, owing 700 million KRW (about $487,540) to her former agency, Gold Medalist. This debt stems from fines and compensation payments related to a drunk driving accident she caused in May 2022.
On that fateful night in Gangnam, Seoul, Kim Sae Ron crashed into a transformer while driving under the influence, causing a massive power outage that affected local businesses. The incident led to astronomical compensation claims. In addition, Kim Sae Ron faced significant penalties for breaching her advertisement and drama contract agreements.
According to sources in the entertainment industry, Kim Sae Ron had requested more time from her agency, citing financial difficulties and promising to repay the debt in full. However, she was unable to fulfill her promise before her untimely death.
Kim Sae Ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, at around 4:45 PM on February 16. A friend, who had a scheduled meeting with the actress, discovered her and notified the police. No suicide note was found at the scene, and the decision to conduct an autopsy has not been disclosed, pending the family's wishes. Her funeral service is being held at the Seoul Asan Hospital in Songpa-gu, with the funeral scheduled for February 19. Details regarding her final resting place have not been revealed.
In December 2022, after her contract with Gold Medalist expired, Kim Sae Ron reportedly promised to repay the 700 million KRW ($487,540) debt. However, with her career in decline and her public image severely damaged, she struggled to make ends meet. The actress resorted to part-time jobs at cafes and acting schools, barely managing her daily expenses, let alone repaying the debt.
As her debt repayments continued to be delayed, Gold Medalist sent a legal notice demanding repayment of the money she owed. Given that company funds were loaned to her, failure to repay the debt could potentially be considered a breach of fiduciary duty. The agency's claim for repayment remains unresolved.
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