The family of the late Kim Sae-ron has taken legal action against YouTuber Lee Jin-ho and publicly refuted claims made by Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist, regarding their alleged support for the actress after her DUI incident. In a press conference held on March 17, the family’s legal representative, Attorney Boo Ji-seok, presented their side of the story and raised serious allegations.
Legal Action Against Lee Jin-ho
Kim Sae-ron’s family has filed a criminal complaint against YouTuber Lee Jin-ho at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Department. Attorney Boo Ji-seok, chosen for his experience in exposing YouTube cartels, suggested that Lee Jin-ho might have influential figures backing him.
Denying Claims of Support and Debt Payment
The legal team firmly denied the assertions made by Kim Soo-hyun and Gold Medalist that they assisted Kim Sae-ron’s return to acting and paid off her reported 700 million won debt. They stated that these claims are false.
Kim Se-ui, head of Garo Sero Research Institute, revealed that managers from Gold Medalist had frequently contacted Lee Jin-ho. He also questioned how Lee Jin-ho became aware of Kim Sae-ron’s part-time job during her period of inactivity, hinting at the possibility of an informant.
Kim Se-ui defended Kim Sae-ron, stating, “She never did anything. If she wasn’t deeply frustrated, why would she record the exact start and end dates of her relationship in her diary?”
Allegations of Communication Tactics and Pressure
Attorney Boo Ji-seok claimed that Kim Soo-hyun used Telegram to communicate with Kim Sae-ron instead of KakaoTalk, potentially to avoid leaving behind evidence of their conversations. He further noted that her final messages included pleas for help, suggesting that their breakup was not due to a significant disagreement.
The lawyer also disclosed that after Kim Sae-ron posted a photo with Kim Soo-hyun, Gold Medalist allegedly pressured her to remove it. The following day, she reportedly received a debt collection notice, which was then followed by a series of Lee Jin-ho’s YouTube videos that targeted her.
The 700 Million Won Debt Dispute
The family clarified that the 700 million won debt was not related to her 2022 DUI incident. Instead, they claimed it was connected to the Netflix series “Bloodhounds 2.”
Kim Se-ui presented a legal notice from Kim Soo-hyun demanding repayment of the debt by December 31, 2023, with a threat of legal action if the amount remained unpaid. He accused Kim Soo-hyun of putting financial pressure on Kim Sae-ron and ignoring her requests for assistance.
Furthermore, Kim Se-ui disclosed a written agreement indicating that Kim Sae-ron’s car was seized to cover a portion of the debt. He strongly criticized Kim Soo-hyun’s actions as unfair and exploitative, especially considering their past relationship.
