Kim Soo Hyun is now facing legal action from advertisers following recent controversies.
Two companies filed lawsuits against Kim Soo Hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist, seeking the return of model fees and additional damages, according to legal sources on April 28th. The total amount claimed by the two companies is reported to be around 3 billion won ($2.1 million).
More advertisers are expected to join the legal battle. Another company is also reportedly considering a lawsuit, citing a breakdown of trust, and is reviewing options to reclaim model fees or claim penalties for breach of contract.
Attorney Park Sung Woo of Law Firm Woori, representing some of the advertisers, told YTN Star, “Kim Soo Hyun reportedly signed advertising contracts with about 15 brands, with each domestic contract estimated at 1 billion to 1.2 billion won ($695,000 to $833,000)” He added, “Advertisers usually avoid making the first lawsuit public, but once one company files, others tend to follow.”
Given these estimates, the total amount of lawsuits could potentially exceed 10 billion KRW ($7 million).
The controversy stems from allegations that Kim Soo Hyun had been in a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron when she was still a minor, along with claims that he pressured her regarding debt repayment. Kim Soo Hyun strongly denied the allegations at an emergency press conference held on March 31st and announced plans for legal action against the rumors.
The release of Disney Plus’s upcoming series Knock Off, starring Kim Soo Hyun, has been indefinitely postponed amid the escalating controversy.
In response, Kim Soo Hyun’s side stated that nothing has been confirmed yet regarding the reports of a 3 billion won lawsuit.
His side stated through his agency, Gold Medalis,t on April 29, “It has not yet been confirmed whether a lawsuit has been filed.”
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