South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron’s tragic passing on February 16, 2025, has been followed by a controversy involving her father’s request for a 50 million KRW (approximately $36,000 USD) housing deposit, which he mistakenly believed belonged to his daughter. The situation sheds light on her financial struggles and complex personal circumstances.
Father’s Request for Deposit
On February 18, one day after Kim Sae-ron’s funeral, her biological father contacted her landlord to request the return of a 50 million KRW jeonse (lump-sum) deposit for her home in Seongsu-dong, Seoul.
He was unaware that the deposit was not in his daughter’s name. Instead, it had been paid by Mr. A, an executive from an education company who supported Kim Sae-ron financially.
The landlord clarified that the deposit belonged to Mr. A, not Kim Sae-ron. Her father promptly withdrew his request.
“It appears her father was unaware of the financial arrangements behind her housing,” a real estate insider said.
Financial Support from Acquaintances
Kim Sae-ron faced significant financial challenges after a 2022 drunk driving incident that damaged her career. To help her, Mr. A covered housing deposits for two properties: one in Nonhyeon-dong in 2023 and another in Seongsu-dong, where she lived until her death.
A singer friend, referred to as Singer B, also contributed to the Nonhyeon-dong deposit. Both Mr. A and Singer B refused to lend her money directly, choosing instead to pay the deposits in their own names to secure her housing.
Despite her financial struggles, Kim Sae-ron was diligent about paying rent. She reportedly covered these expenses through part-time jobs at cafes and acting schools.
Details of Kim Sae-ron’s Passing
Kim Sae-ron was found deceased at her Seongsu-dong residence on February 16, 2025, at age 25. A friend discovered her and alerted the police.
After an investigation, authorities ruled her death a suicide. No suicide note was found, and the decision on an autopsy was left to her family’s wishes.
Her funeral was held at Seoul Asan Medical Center on February 19, with a private burial on February 21 at Utopia Memorial Park in Anseong. Celebrities like Won Bin, Han So-hee, and Kim Bo-ra attended, while others, including IU and Ma Dong-seok, sent condolences.
Debunking Debt Claims
Kim Sae-ron’s family claimed she was under pressure from her former agency, Gold Medalist, to repay a 700 million KRW (approximately $487,540 USD) debt tied to her 2022 drunk driving incident. The incident involved her crashing into a transformer in Gangnam, Seoul, causing a power outage and leading to fines and compensation claims.
However, Gold Medalist clarified that the debt, initially 1.14 billion KRW, was reduced to 700 million KRW. The agency wrote off the debt as uncollectible in December 2023, meaning Kim Sae-ron was not required to repay it.
“Gold Medalist determined that she could no longer fulfill her financial obligations and wrote off her debt as a loss in December 2023,” the agency stated in an audit report dated April 1, 2024.
The debt was primarily linked to penalties from her role in the Netflix drama Bloodhounds, not the DUI costs directly. Gold Medalist also helped sell her Range Rover to settle some of her financial obligations.
Addressing Relationship Allegations
Kim Sae-ron’s family alleged she had a six-year relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun, starting in 2015 when she was 16 and he was 28, lasting until 2021. They claimed this began when she was underage and that Kim Soo-hyun pressured her over the debt.
These claims have been disputed. Gold Medalist, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, denied the relationship, stating that a photo Kim Sae-ron posted in March 2024 was from their time as colleagues, not evidence of a romantic link.
“The rumors are false. The photo was taken when they were under the same management,” Gold Medalist said.
Further, the timelines don’t align. Kim Soo-hyun was 28 in 2015, not 30, and both were reportedly involved with other people during the alleged period. Photos and messages cited as evidence were misdated or featured another man, not Kim Soo-hyun.
Kim Sae-ron’s message, allegedly sent to Kim Soo-hyun, stated:
(The relationship with Kim Soo-hyun) lasted from November 19, 2015, to July 7, 2021. I was 16, and he was 30. That’s how our six-year relationship ended.
However, metadata from a photo she referenced confirmed it was taken in 2017, not 2016, and other evidence failed to substantiate the claims.
Public and Netizen Reactions
The controversy has sparked varied reactions online. Some netizens expressed sympathy for Kim Sae-ron’s struggles:
WHY didn’t they release these before this girl took her own life??? This is sad. Dispatch had everything but waited to see how society would react first.
Others criticized the handling of her debt by Gold Medalist:
So basically, they sent a legal notice but claimed it was just a formality? That’s confusing and unfair to her.
Her family’s claims against Kim Soo-hyun also drew scrutiny, with some defending him:
The bereaved family’s anger seems misdirected. The evidence doesn’t support their accusations.
Additional Controversies
A rumor surfaced that Choo Sung Hoon, who appeared with Kim Sae-ron on The Fishermen and the City: Palau Edition, covered her funeral costs. His agency, BONBOOENT, denied this, stating they only met once on the show and had no personal relationship.
Another claim suggested Won Bin offered to pay Kim Sae-ron’s 700 million KRW debt. This remains unconfirmed, with sources labeling it a rumor.
Kim Sae-ron’s family has pursued legal action against Kim Soo-hyun and Gold Medalist, alleging defamation and financial pressure. Kim Soo-hyun responded by filing a 12 billion KRW lawsuit against her family and the Garosero Research Institute YouTube channel for damages.
The aftermath of Kim Sae-ron’s passing continues to unfold. Her father’s mistaken request for the 50 million KRW deposit highlights the financial complexities she faced.
Her family is considering further legal action, while Kim Soo-hyun faces additional lawsuits from advertisers, including a 2.8 billion KRW claim, amid the ongoing controversy.
The situation remains a somber reminder of Kim Sae-ron’s hidden struggles, both financial and emotional, as her story continues to resonate with fans and the public.
