Amid ongoing controversies surrounding actor Kim Soo Hyun’s alleged relationship with actress Kim Sae Ron, new and potentially more damaging allegations have emerged, this time related to financial misconduct. A whistleblower has come forward with claims that they filed a report of tax evasion against the actor with Korea’s National Tax Service (NTS), raising serious questions about the accuracy of his reported income and financial dealings.
The revelation adds another layer of complexity to the actor’s already troubled career, intensifying public interest and prompting scrutiny of his financial activities. On March 30, 2025, an anonymous post on the online forum DC Inside stated that the whistleblower had filed a tax evasion report against Kim Soo Hyun. The post included screenshots of the submission confirmation, indicating that the report had been validated, meaning it met the criteria for review and potential investigation.
The whistleblower alleges that the report was based on discrepancies between Kim Soo Hyun’s estimated earnings and his publicly reported income. Specifically, the complaint points out:
- Large income gap: The whistleblower claims that Kim Soo Hyun earned over 30 billion KRW from advertising deals alone in the past year. However, official financial records reportedly show a significant shortfall, which remains unexplained.
- Suspicious financial activity at GOLDMEDALIST: Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, GOLDMEDALIST, is accused of reporting unusual declines in corporate and shareholder capital, despite the actor being one of South Korea’s highest-paid celebrities.
- Concerns over Kim Sae Ron’s legal settlement: The whistleblower also raises questions about a 700 million KRW settlement related to Kim Sae Ron’s past legal case, alleging that it was processed through non-transparent financial channels.
The whistleblower has reportedly provided supporting documents, including financial records, advertising contracts, and income projections, to back up these claims. The evidence suggests a deliberate underreporting of income, possibly to evade taxes, casting doubt on the transparency of Kim Soo Hyun’s earnings.
Further complicating the situation are rumors of financial instability within GOLDMEDALIST. Some insiders claim that the agency is struggling due to the controversies surrounding the actor, who co-founded the company. Any legal consequences faced by Kim Soo Hyun could have serious implications for the future of the agency, especially if it is found to have engaged in financial misconduct.
Should the allegations of tax evasion be substantiated, both Kim Soo Hyun and GOLDMEDALIST could face hefty fines, legal audits, and increased scrutiny from South Korean authorities. These financial and legal challenges could prove devastating for the agency, which is already grappling with contract penalties from brands and production companies.
The public response to the new allegations has been mixed. While some netizens commend the whistleblower for exposing potential wrongdoing, others believe the allegations may be part of a broader attempt to damage Kim Soo Hyun’s reputation.
A key aspect of the situation is South Korea’s whistleblower reward system, which offers financial compensation to individuals who report confirmed cases of tax fraud or financial misconduct. If the claims lead to a proven case of tax evasion, the anonymous whistleblower could be entitled to a substantial reward.
As of now, the National Tax Service has not officially commented on the specifics of the report, but given that the whistleblower’s submission has been marked as valid, an investigation is likely underway. Kim Soo Hyun, who recently held an emergency press conference to deny any wrongdoing, now finds himself facing an entirely new scandal that could have even more serious repercussions than the rumors surrounding his personal life.
