Kim Soo-hyun Accused of Using Late Kim Sae-ron’s Name? Garo Sero Institute Raises Allegations of Stock Manipulation by Gold Medalist
On the afternoon of April 11, Kim Yong-ho, head of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, conducted a live broadcast alleging stock manipulation by the agency Gold Medalist. This came a day after KBS News reported on April 10 that a listed online education company on the KOSDAQ was under suspicion for stock manipulation.
According to the report, the police have launched an investigation, and suspicions have surfaced involving a prominent entertainment agency. The company’s stock price, which had been around 1,000 KRW three years ago, began rising sharply in July and exceeded 10,000 KRW by the following April — a sevenfold increase in just nine months. However, a mass sell-off on a particular day led to a sharp crash, and the price reportedly returned to its original level within two months.
In response, the Financial Intelligence Unit under the Financial Services Commission notified the police with a report stating that “market manipulation is suspected.” The Korea Exchange also flagged unusual trading behavior. The police are now identifying accounts involved in the alleged manipulation and tracking the movement of profits.
One of the largest shareholders, owning over 50% of the company’s shares, is an investment fund. Notably, one of the firms in this fund is reportedly a one-man agency founded by a famous celebrity.
When approached by KBS, the entertainment agency involved denied the allegations, stating, “We have never interfered with the stock price of the mentioned company.“
During his livestream, Kim Yong-ho claimed that the agency mentioned in the KBS report was located in the same building as Gold Medalist. He also referenced an article reporting that the stock of Gold&S — a company in which Gold Medalist and Siwon School hold shares — had recently plummeted.
Kim Yong-ho further alleged that the late actress Kim Sae-ron was listed as a special related party of Gold&S, holding 66,000 shares. “It means her stock decreased by 34,000 shares, originally owning 100,000. This proves how close she was to Kim Soo-hyun. But why is actress Seo Ye-ji, also formerly with Gold Medalist, not listed? Why was Kim Sae-ron used through identity misappropriation?” Kim Yong-ho asked.
He also reiterated that Ryu Tae-hyun, a director associated with Gold&S whose name appeared in the stock case, had attempted to contact Kim Sae-ron’s father several times via messages and calls.
Gold Medalist, founded on November 22, 2019, is a management company with CEO Ahn Sung-soo and CCO Lee Ro-bae. The company co-produced the 2020 tvN drama “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” with Story TV and the 2021 Coupang Play series “One Ordinary Day” with Studio M and Chorokbaem Media.
Lee Ro-bae, co-founder and CCO of Gold Medalist, also directed the film “Real” starring Kim Soo-hyun.
Notably, during a press conference on March 27 held by Kim Sae-ron’s bereaved family, a handwritten letter by Kim Sae-ron was revealed. The letter, addressed to Kim Soo-hyun after she received a proof of contents (legal document), was never delivered as she lost contact with him. The family said access restrictions to his apartment prevented its delivery. In the letter, Kim Sae-ron wrote, “I hope it’s you, not Ro-bae, who reads this.“