The late Kim Sae Ron’s family has revealed the details of two certified legal notices (content certification letters) sent by Gold Medalist. The notices show a shift in the agency’s stance after a photo of Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were initially made public.

According to documents obtained by Hankyung on March 18, the first notice, dated March 15, 2024, stated, “As a representative of Gold Medalist, we hereby urge you to repay your debt.” The sender was listed as "Gold Medalist," while the recipient was addressed as "Kim Ah Im," Kim Sae Ron’s legal name after her name change.

The document specified that Kim Sae Ron had borrowed 686.4 million KRW (approximately 473,000 USD) from the agency on November 22, 2022, under a financial loan contract that required repayment by December 31, 2023. It asserted, “Despite the repayment deadline passing, you have not fulfilled your obligations.”

The notice further warned, “Our law firm, representing the client, urges you to immediately deposit the full loan amount into the specified account. Failure to comply will result in civil and criminal legal action.”

After receiving this, Kim Sae Ron reportedly contacted Kim Soo Hyun and other company executives to request an extension on the repayment deadline but received no response. She repeatedly called and messaged Kim Soo Hyun, pleading, “I am not refusing to pay; I simply cannot afford to. Please help me.” When her calls were ignored, she even used her cousin’s phone to try reaching him. Then, on March 24, at dawn, she uploaded a photo of herself and Kim Soo Hyun with their cheeks touching on social media, only to delete it three minutes later in an attempt to prompt a response from the agency.

Following this, Kim Sae Ron’s family claimed that she received a second content certification letter from Gold Medalist, which they have now made public.

Dated March 25, 2024, this second notice from Kim Soo Hyun’s legal representatives reiterated, “We previously urged repayment through our March 15 notice. The reason for demanding repayment was that if our client’s company did not collect the debt, it could lead to a breach of fiduciary duty charges against company executives.”

However, the tone softened, stating, “Considering the financial difficulties you have expressed, we are open to discussions regarding the repayment method and schedule. Please propose a feasible repayment plan to our law firm.”

Additionally, the letter urged Kim Sae Ron to refrain from directly contacting Gold Medalist employees or its affiliated actors regarding the debt.

It also addressed the photo she uploaded, emphasizing that Kim Soo Hyun was currently starring in 'Queen of Tears,' and stating, “Your actions could impact not only the actor and our company but also the drama production team, fellow cast members, crew, the broadcasting network, and streaming platforms. This is a serious matter that could lead to significant legal consequences.”

The letter concluded with a request, “We ask that you refrain from actions that may disrupt business operations, such as the incident on March 24.”

Compared to the first notice, which was firm and threatening, the second notice used more polite and conciliatory language. This shift in tone suggests that Kim Soo Hyun’s side adjusted their stance after the photo was posted, signaling a willingness to negotiate.

However, Kim Sae Ron’s family’s legal representative, lawyer Bu Ji Seok, argued, “While the agency claims it was legally required to collect the debt, the message was clear: they were giving her a deadline and demanding repayment.” He added, “They also ordered her not to contact their actors and threatened legal action over the photo she posted.”

Kim Sae Ron’s family stated that, despite this second notice, they never received any direct communication from Kim Soo Hyun.

As a result, the family is now considering legal action against him.

Meanwhile, Garo Sero Research Institute (HOVERLAB) alleged on March 10 that Kim Soo Hyun had dated Kim Sae Ron for six years, beginning in November 2015 when she was 15 years old. They also claimed that Gold Medalist had demanded repayment of 700 million KRW (approximately 482,000 USD) related to covering her DUI accident settlement.

In response, Gold Medalist refuted the claims, stating, “Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron only dated from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after she became an adult. The allegations that they were in a relationship when she was a minor are false.”

Regarding the controversy over the debt, the agency explained, “This matter strictly involved Gold Medalist and Kim Sae Ron. Kim Soo Hyun never personally loaned her money, nor did he demand repayment. Any claims suggesting otherwise are baseless.”

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