Amid ongoing legal battles, South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun faces yet another challenge following recent controversy.
According to Soompi, two companies that hired the K-drama star as a brand model were reported to plan to file lawsuits demanding the return of endorsement fees and additional damages. Reports stated that the total claim has reached approximately 3 billion won (equivalent to over PhP 100 million).
A third company has also cut ties with Kim Soo-hyun, terminating its contract due to "broken trust." Reports said the company was also considering similar legal action for reimbursement and breach of contract penalties.
Attorney Park Sung-woo, who is representing the plaintiffs, shared a statement regarding the reported complaints.
"Kim Soo-hyun signed advertising model contracts with 15 different brands, and based on domestic contracts, he is said to have been paid around 1 billion to 1.2 billion won [approximately $698,000 to $837,000] in model fees per contract,” he said.
He added, “Usually, advertisers tend to be reluctant to become known as the first [company] to file a lawsuit against a model,” he continued. “However, once it is revealed that one company has filed a lawsuit, it is likely that more advertisers will join in suing.”
In response, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, gave a brief statement. "We have not yet confirmed whether a lawsuit has been filed.”
The legal trouble stems from controversy surrounding Kim Soo-hyun's alleged involvement with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. The actor previously held a press conference denying rumors that he had a relationship with her when she was a minor. Alleged screenshots of their conversations, which circulated online, were said to be fabricated.
Additionally, Kim Soo-hyun refuted claims that his agency had pressured Kim Sae-ron over financial debts. In defense, he and Gold Medalist announced plans to take legal action against Kim Sae-ron's family and individuals who allegedly spread false information and malicious content online.
"We promise to do our utmost to protect the rights of our artist through strong legal measures against any clear criminal behavior. Thank you," Gold Medalist affirmed.
Take a look back at the events surrounding the Soo-hyun-Sae-ron issue:
On March 10, the YouTube channel HoverLab Inc., also known as Garosero Research Institute, reported that Kim Sae-ron's aunt alleged the actress had a six-year relationship with Kim Soo-hyun, which began when she was just 15 years old. Accusations were also made against Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, alleging financial misconduct and mishandling of Sae-ron's DUI case.
Netizens continue to express varied opinions about the controversy. However, many pointed out the coincidence that Kim Sae-ron passed away on Kim Soo-hyun's birthday, February 16.
Kim Soo-hyun's agency dismissed the allegations and said that the claims made by the YouTube channel Hoverlab are "completely false." The agency also threatened a possible legal action.
Garoseo Research Institute revealed old photos, including intimate selfies, text messages, and handwritten letters between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron.
One of the texts revealed that the actress allegedly received a repayment notice amounting to 686 million KRW (Php 27,124,440). According to Dispatch, Sae-ron reportedly pleaded with Soo-hyun to "save" her and "give her some time," but the actor allegedly did not respond.
It's Okay Not To Be Okay actress Seo Ye-ji's name was brought into the controversy between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron as online rumors surfaced about her alleged relationship with Soo-hyun.
"To my beloved yeye (Seo Ye-ji's official fan club), As a human being, I can't help but feel overwhelmed, overburdened, tired, sad, and suffocated. I tried to suppress and suppress it all. But before I knew it, I was typing a reply to the comments and then quickly deleting them. Just please stop. I swear I have no personal relations whatsoever with that person or his older brother. I don't know why I have to explain any of this," she said.
According to Sportkeeda, Kim Soo-hyun's ongoing 18+ brand deals have faced conflicts, leading some companies to suspend his activities or remove the content he was featured in. K2, Shabu All Day, and Homeplus reportedly eventually deleted his appearances from their official homepage and brand SNS.
On March 13, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, released a brief statement that they will "release a full length statement based on factual evidence next week."
Although Gold Medalist initially announced that they would release a full statement on the issue next week, they instead issued an official statement on Friday, March 14. The agency claimed that while it is true that Soo-hyun and Sae-ron were in a relationship in the past, it did not take place during her minor years. They also refuted claims that Soo-hyun's agency pressured Sae-ron to repay 700 million won (around $481,300) and provided images as proof.
On March 14, Italian luxury brand Prada officially ended its ambassador partnership with Kim Soo-hyun, severing ties with the actor. The luxury brand decided to cancel the collaboration due to the ongoing controversy surrounding Soo-hyun.
On March 16, Garosero Research Institute released a private photo of Kim Soo-hyun without pants while allegedly washing dishes inside Kim Sae-ron's apartment.
The family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron has formally requested an official apology from actor Kim Soo-hyun and his agency regarding allegations that he was romantically involved with Kim Sae-ron while she was still a minor.
The statement reads: "We ask Kim Soo-hyun to admit to dating Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor and issue an official apology. We also demand an apology from his agency, which has denied the relationship for the past three years and even repeated this denial just three days ago."
On March 17, MBC's variety program Good Day decided to edit out Kim Soo-hyun's footage from the show due to the ongoing controversy surrounding him.
Garosero Research Institute released a video allegedly proving a relationship between South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
In the video, Sae-ron was sitting on a sofa in her house while a man's hand is rubbing her back. The man's voice can be heard in the background, and many claim it is Soo-hyun's.
On March 27, attorney Boo Ji Suk from Law Firm Buyou held a press conference, representing the grieving family of the late actress, and released KakaoTalk messages allegedly sent between Kim Sae-Ron and Kim Soo-Hyun in June 2016.
Based on the screenshots, Soo-hyun sent messages to Sae-ron telling her that he "missed her" and wanted to "fall asleep with her" in his arms. Meanwhile, Sae-ron tells Soo-hyun, "[You] never wake up." He answers, "Yes, I wouldn't know even if you kissed me" and "When can I fall asleep with you in my arms? I'll really get a good night's sleep then." The late actress answers, "I'll do it whenever I want."
South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference to address rumors about his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. He confirmed that they had dated for about a year but denied the relationship when it was first reported, admitting that it was a cowardly decision. He explained that his denial was to protect his co-stars, production team, and staff of Queen of Tears.
Kim Soo-hyun stated that while he is willing to take responsibility for his actions, he will not accept false accusations. He urged that all evidence be submitted for legal verification. His legal team, led by Kim Jong-bok, has filed criminal and civil complaints against the bereaved family members, an individual claiming to be Kim Sae-ron's aunt, and HoverLab Inc. for defamation.