Actor Kim Soo Hyun, already embroiled in previous controversies, is once again in the spotlight after explosive claims linked his agency Gold Medalist to a stock manipulation scandal. What’s more troubling is the suggestion that the late actress Kim Sae Ron’s name may have been misused in connection with the case.

Garo Sero Institute links Gold Medalist to ongoing stock probe

According to Kbizoom, on the afternoon of April 11, YouTuber Kim Yong-ho, who heads the controversial Garo Sero Institute channel, went live with a series of claims implicating Gold Medalist in a new financial scandal. This came a day after KBS News reported on April 10 that a KOSDAQ-listed online education firm is being investigated for suspected stock manipulation.

The KBS report revealed that the stock price of the company had seen a sevenfold increase — rising from approximately 1,000 KRW to over 10,000 KRW in just nine months — before it dramatically collapsed due to a bulk sell-off. Within two months, it had returned to its original value.

This unusual trading pattern triggered concerns, leading the Financial Intelligence Unit under the Financial Services Commission to report suspected market manipulation. The Korea Exchange also flagged irregular activity. Police are now working to identify the accounts involved and track the movements of profits.

Investment fund and one-man agency under scrutiny

Adding fuel to the fire, Kim Yong-ho claimed that over 50% of the suspect company’s shares were owned by an investment fund. Within this fund, he alleged, is a one-man agency founded by a popular Korean celebrity.

While KBS did not name the entertainment company, they did contact the agency believed to be involved. The agency strongly denied any involvement, stating, “We have never interfered with the stock price of the mentioned company.”

However, Kim Yong-ho noted in his broadcast that the company in question operates out of the same building as Gold Medalist, thereby implying a close connection. He further referenced a news report pointing to the stock crash of Gold&S — a company jointly owned by Gold Medalist and Siwon School — as another red flag.

Kim Sae Ron’s name allegedly misused

Perhaps the most startling claim from Kim Yong-ho’s livestream was the alleged misuse of late actress Kim Sae Ron’s name in the financial dealings. He stated that Kim was listed as a “special related party” of Gold&S and had originally held 100,000 shares, which later dropped to 66,000.

“This proves how close she was to Kim Soo Hyun. But why is actress Seo Yea-ji, also formerly with Gold Medalist, not listed? Why was Kim Sae Ron used through identity misappropriation?” he asked during the broadcast.

Further, Yong-ho said Ryu Tae-hyun, a director tied to Gold&S whose name surfaced in the investigation, had reportedly attempted to contact Kim Sae Ron’s father multiple times via text and phone calls.

Gold Medalist: Origins and connection to Kim Soo Hyun

Gold Medalist was founded on 22 November 2019, with Ahn Sung-soo as CEO and Lee Ro-bae as Chief Creative Officer. The agency is known for managing actor Kim Soo Hyun and has co-produced successful dramas such as ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ (2020) with Story TV and ‘One Ordinary Day’ (2021) with Studio M and Chorokbaem Media.

Lee Ro-bae, who co-founded Gold Medalist, is also the director of the 2017 film ‘Real,’ starring Kim Soo Hyun. These longstanding professional collaborations have made the agency synonymous with the actor’s career.

Kim Sae Ron’s handwritten letter revealed by family

Tensions surrounding Kim Soo Hyun and Gold Medalist intensified after Kim Sae Ron’s bereaved family held a press conference on March 27. During the event, they released a handwritten letter that the late actress had penned for Kim Soo Hyun.

The letter was written after Kim Sae Ron received a legal document known as a “proof of contents,” but it was never delivered. The family explained that she lost contact with Soo Hyun and could not send it due to restricted access to his residence. In the letter, she wrote, “I hope it’s you, not Ro-bae, who reads this.”

This message has now gained new meaning as accusations surrounding Gold Medalist — and the potential exploitation of Kim Sae Ron’s name — continue to unfold.

A growing web of controversies

This isn’t the first time Kim Soo Hyun has been pulled into controversy via Garo Sero Institute. The same YouTube channel previously accused him of dating a minor — a claim that sparked outrage and disbelief among fans.