It has recently come to light that the late actress Kim Sae Ron borrowed a staggering 700 million KRW from her former agency, Gold Medalist, to cover the penalties and damages from a tragic drunk driving accident she was involved in during her lifetime.

According to reports on February 18th, Kim Sae Ron was involved in a serious incident in May 2022, where she crashed her car into a transformer at the Hakdong intersection in Gangnam, Seoul, while driving under the influence of alcohol.

The accident caused a massive power outage in the Gangnam area, leading to huge financial losses. On top of that, Kim Sae Ron faced penalties for violating advertising and drama contract terms.

In desperate need of money, the actress turned to her agency, Gold Medalist, for help. They lent her the money to pay off the damages and penalties.

However, after her contract with Gold Medalist ended in December 2022, she promised to repay the debt, but the money never came.

Following a sharp decline in her career and public reception, Kim Sae Ron struggled to find stable work. Despite working part-time jobs at a café and an acting academy, she was unable to pay back the 700 million KRW debt.

Eventually, Gold Medalist sent her a formal demand letter, urging her to repay the loan. Not paying back this large sum could be considered embezzlement.

Kim Sae Ron requested more time to settle her financial issues, explaining her struggle to find steady work, but unfortunately, she passed away without fulfilling her promise.

Kim Sae Ron was found dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of February 16th. A friend, who was supposed to meet her that day, discovered her and reported the incident to the authorities.

There was no suicide note found at the scene, and while the family has requested privacy, the details surrounding an autopsy will not be made public.

Kim Sae Ron’s funeral is currently being held at Seoul Asan Hospital’s funeral hall, with the service scheduled for February 19th. The burial location is being kept private at this time.

Source: [1]

Lee Kyung Gyu's star-making influence goes beyond Kang Ho Dong, as Hong Jin Kyung shares how he helped her kickstart her career.

On the April 24 episode of KBS 2TV’s Problem Child in House, legendary comedian Lee Kyung Gyu appeared as a guest—and a touching story from the past was revealed.

Hong Jin Kyung surprised everyone when she said, “He’s the teacher for all of us. Personally, he’s the one who helped me debut.” She even pinned a carnation flower on his chest to show her gratitude.

Lee Kyung Gyu smiled and said, “I still remember when Hong Jin Kyung walked up the stairs onto the stage for the first time.”

Hong Jin Kyung then shared her journey to becoming a star. “I joined a supermodel contest, but only the top 3 winners were noticed in broadcasting. I got a special prize, so I had no chance to be on TV."

She continued, "At first, I was just a backup for a show. But somehow, I became a regular the next week. I never knew why."

She added, "I thought the PD gave me a shot. But then one day, I randomly met Kyung Gyu sunbae, and he told me it was actually him who recommended me.”

Kim Sook asked with a smile, “So Kyung Gyu sunbae said nice things about you to the PD?”

Lee Kyung Gyu playfully replied, “Don’t say it in such a childish way,” making everyone laugh.

He then explained more seriously, “The show was Scoop TV Entertainment, and I was pretty much the main MC. When Jin Kyung showed up, I saw her determination and passion."

He added, "While others didn’t seem serious, she really stood out. I told the PD, ‘She seems unique. Why not keep her on the show?’”

Kim Jong Kook chimed in, “So if the main MC said that, doesn’t that mean you basically got her in?”

That made Lee Kyung Gyu happy. He grinned and replied, “Exactly! You speak well. Be like him!”

He added, “After that, Jin Kyung’s career took off. She started doing shows with Lee Young Ja and just kept going.”

Fans are now calling Lee Kyung Gyu not only a top MC, but also a quiet star-maker behind the scenes!

Source: [1]