Kim Soo Hyun’s Agency Gold Medalist Under Fire for Allegedly Paying Out to Stars Signed to its Label Far Far Below Industry Standards
Those of you waiting for K-actor Kim Soo Hyun‘s comeback after his allegedly dating then underaged and and now deceased actress Kim Sae Ron back in February 2025 scandal will likely have to wait a little (a lot) longer. There is a new scandal involving his agency Gold Medalist, which normally agency scandals don’t impact stars signed to the agency but for Kim Soo Hyun is an owner of his own agency. It was formed by him and his cousin/older brother figure and done through through ownership equity in shell company Baruen No. 2 Investment Association which in turn owns GM. Bareun No.2 is already under investigation for stock manipulation and tax fraud for activity related to its ownership in an publicly traded online education firm. Now comes news that GM has been wildly underpaying its stars signed to its label. Audits showed that from years 2020-2024 during that four year span the agency paid out a total of 670 million won (USD $483,000) to its stars in total, from the lowest of 52 million won to the highest payment of 270 million won. In its highest earning year 2024, the agency brought in 20 billion won (USD $14.4M) thanks to the success of Queen of Tears but for that total amount it paid out only 2.7 billion won or a 10th of the earnings. In the industry, typically 80-90% are paid to the stars and GM inverted that with paying out 10%. Even more alarming are GM’s expenses such as travel, meeting, and entertainment outspend the amount paid out to stars. GM has responded that it’s misleading and star payments are included in service revenue costs rather than payment commission line in its annual reporting. But K-ent industry folks are saying this makes no sense as other agencies openly reveal settlement payments in audits and it’s an open book. So now the latest suspicion is that GM is engaged in shady financial practices and/or financial fraud.
News of him makes my stomach turn…
I want to see him finally get dragged to court. The thought he might be back in a couple of years in a likely “I’m the true victim in all this but I persevered thanks to my fans” scenario and continuing to be a famous actor like nothing ever happened makes me so angry. Also, I can’t believe no one from the entertainment industry let anything slip after Kim Star got exposed (or did I just not read about it?). The silence is kind of weird to me.
@latesleeper, you didnt read it because there is some sort of sanction and Korean reporters are not allowed to report any more stuff about his scandal. This guy has quite a bit of influence on Korea. I haven’t heard of any other Korean star going through a scandal can have Korean reporters to stop talking about them. And, not to mention this guy also silenced some weibo netizens a few months ago who were talking about stuff that is unfavorable to him.
I agree with you He will just come back in due time as if nothing has ever happened.
Makes sense, but it is still hard for me to understand why this guy that apparently comes from a poor background has managed to form such powerful connections and has been able to keep these connections hidden for all these years. He seems kind of scary. poor Sulli and Sae Ron.
This is really bad…so much poop!!! Hope GM has good lawyers.
There are continuously up and coming younger stars to replace him in spotlight. Soon he will be totally forgotten and won’t be missed at all. I’m kinda pleased his rabid fandom is also gone with wind on his way going down. Good riddance!
@somebody, his fans are still going around white washing his image on various social media. So annoying to see them.
@big_foodie Yeah I still see a lot of them defending this pdf file. Most of them are women from male-worshipping countries like Indonesia, Philippines, South American countries, some African countries like Nigeria, etc. They’re so annoying and male-centered and they will always put men first above everything else. No wonder they worship even their problematic oppars
He needs to be in jail. That is not happening because Korea is hell and he will indeed just return in a few years as if nothing happened.
So many bad news everywhere. I need some confirmed dating, marriage or baby news. Something positive and heart warming, please
That said, I want him prosecuted for everything that he allegedly did so badly. However, I don’t belive he’ll get what he deserves. His influence is scary. He will come back in one way or another.
Seriously Koala, while I think KSH is more than likely guilty in the KSR situation, but do you ever actually fact check any of the stuff you write? Or I’m thinking this man brings you this much clicks until today so you’d rather be as controversial as possible?
I am a fan of several artists in the agency as GM is not just about KSH firstly. And yes it’s freakin frustrating and infuriating that this man has really made life difficult for the other artists in the agency by inevitably dragging them in his mess. But this is a non issue and clearly another mud slinging episode between GSY and KSH. They really should just stick to the person rather than dragging the agency.
GM is not a publicly traded company and the accounting principles they use (GAAP) is entirely different from companies like SM, JYP that uses IFRS. It was a rag that wrote the initial article full of speculation and no actual evidence or fact checks and GM has already clarified with details. Which “K-industry” folks are you even taking about? I don’t know of a single one claiming what you are so openly flaunting here. Even most Knetz will all their hate fully acknowledges this was a rag article so if there really are “industry experts” who are saying this is impossible – name your source please and thank you.
@FFS, if you’re questioning koala about fact check, can you point to us how this is another episode between Kim pedo and GSY? Can you name your source too or was this simply a KsH fan or your speculation ?
@hahaha, hahaha I don’t need “KSH fans” as source for what’s been extremely obvious. Last week something came out against GSY and now there’s something published against GM (targeting KSH). This has been happening since March. One article comes for, the against. Then vice versa. Only someone with rocks for brains won’t realize the timing.
But cool, let’s just say Koala and I are both running speculations. Difference is, I don’t write a blog making an income off misinformation. Some folks get a major boner out of hating on Kim Pedo which, all power to you. That’s precisely why Koala writes these type articles anyway. I’ve got zero issues with that as long as GM’s other artists are kept out of it because they’ve got nothing to do with KSH fans or haters.
@FFS,
Are you really not a KSH fan in disguise lol despite what you think of him guilty in the KSR’s situation? Koala did not mention any GM artist in her post so you really should have zero issue on what she wrote but seeing the way you defend GM in your first comment and demanded a source makes me think you really want GM out the picture. Unfortunately, GM is heavily associated with Kim Pedo even before the scandal. GM lied about Kim Pedo and KSR’s relationship in the beginning so his company is not 100% trustworthy either. Garo is shady but Lee Jun Ho, KSH and GM are not great people either.
Since you are running a speculation yourself, why are you so critical of koala and demanding a source? She is a blogger and not a news reporter. She is allowed to write her thoughts since this is her blog. News reporters can be bribed to distort the truth as well. Nothing we see on social media is 100% the truth these days. If you think this post is clickbait in the first place, why did you fall for it lol? Coming back continuously to check and post may increase traffic lol.
@hahaha You’re too much of a hater and it reeks. So much so that if someone is not rabid hating on anything and everything KSH, they are fans disguised in your eyes. Don’t live in such misconception… he’s really not as popular and adored as you’re obviously fearing. And while yours seems to, many people’s world doesn’t quite revolve around him and his defence or attack. Thought it might help if you sleep better if you knew that…
Koala loves you for the traffic and likely appreciates me too for contributing. At the end of the day, bloggers write what they want – misinformation included – and commenters respond as they like – correction and bs busting included. Besides, I like 90% of Koalas content so if commenting on her click baits gives her rev, I don’t mind as I don’t comment on the good articles. It’s only fair payment for my enjoyment of the blog 😉
And btw, no one has a singular source of these k-industry experts speaking against GM (and not KSH because again, separate entities whether you accept that or not). All the haters roam around this blog and yet, not a thing. As expected, “hahaha”
@FFS, Since you know so much about k-ent, whether it is truth or lies, have you thought of opening your own blog ? I will be happy to make some comments on your posts and give you traffic and clicks for income. Hahahaha.
That FFS is funny, literally writing essays and then claiming she’s not a fan. Her saying that people get a “boner” for hating on a literal p*do and telling you that you’re “too much of a hater” of KSH to be objective are major giveaways that she’s secretly a KSH fan lol. Her tone implies that people are just overhating on her fave, when it’s perfectly understandable if people have an extreme hatred of him.
Like damn, even his fans are embarrassed to admit that they’re fans now 😂
@Princess, I agree with every point you said. Probably, she is afraid to admit she is a fan. Therefore, she said he is guilty in KSR’s situation but the way she defend GM sounded like she is a secret fan in disguise. lol
I don’t believe KSH and GM are separate entities whether there are industry experts talking about it or not. Dispatch knows his dating relationships but they remain silent. The media probably knows a lot more about him but they remain hushed. His cousin runs the company and KSH is (was) the cash cow in prior years. KSH will have some special perks and some sort of say given he has close ties to his cousin. Isn’t that normal thinking? If I have relatives hire me to work for them and I make tons of money for them, the employees and folks will say I have special privilege too.
@hahaha Awww, cute. It’s quite obvious you’ve got nothing of worth to say in the actual debate being had but can’t stop yourself from commenting anyway. I do appreciate the offer! Regretfully (or not), I do well for myself and don’t quite need a blogger’s income. If I do end up with hard times, I’ll let you know tho! You’re precisely the type of commenter I’d love for my imaginary blog for the reasons stated already 😉
@Princess – aww, seems like you have problems with essays despite writing one yourself. How… ironic. Boo, let me just repeat myself slowly: KSH doesn’t have as many fans as you think he does. It’s rather fascinating that you both seem to think otherwise and it clearly eats at you. What a ridiculous way to live ijbol. I couldn’t care less if he goes hangs himself but apparently I’m embarrassed to call myself a “fan” so I’m pretending to call him “Kim Pedo” while defending an agency that represents a lot of other young and up coming actors that actually have a bright future. Logic? Nah, that’s something haters like forgoing. Shocking 😂 (I’m sure this is further proof to you that I’m a secret KSH fan!!!!)
This is really interesting. Keep going, I’m looking forward to both your responses. Koala is loving all this I’m sure (you’re welcome Koala!)
F. F. S.
If I were running a Kim Star fan club, you’d be kicked out head first. But apparently, you’re banned from the hate club too. Congratulations, you’ve achieved the impossible and are in the normal person zone; a true rarity on this website. Take a bow.
@Lavander The fact that you recognize it says the same about you. Admittedly disappointed not to hear back tho. The headspace some folks are in to gaslight themselves in that way was fascinating.
I’m glad his house of cards has fallen. He’s just not a good person yet many women worship him. He doesn’t even look that handsome
What I find mind boggling is how anyone in their right minds can still stand to watch him onscreen after what he did, and yet there are still folks who want to whitewash his image. Mind boggling! Poor KSR and poor Sulli! No wonder Koreans refer to their country as Hell Joseon.
We in the west often feel sorry for N. Koreans because of the oppressive regime in which they live, but the South is bad as well, under the glitz and glamour, there’s little social justice for the oppressed. Small wonder the suicide rate is so high!
Hmm, the more I learn about the k-industry, the more it seems like the actual Hunger Games dystopia. It’s a Capitol in Panem with all the rot hiding below the glitz and the glamour. Hoping for some justice for the victims and may they find peace.
Are there many artists under that label I wonder?
why this pedo is still alive?