[Exclusive]After Kim Se-se's arrest, things changed.. Court advises Kim Soo-hyun advertisers to "abandon the 2.5 billion won claim"

*This content was translated by AI.

With Kim Se-se, CEO of the horizontal and vertical research institute, arrested on suspicion of spreading false facts about actor Kim Soo-hyun, an advertiser who filed a damages lawsuit against Kim Soo-hyun has changed its claim, significantly reducing the amount sought. In response, the court proposed that the advertiser drop the claim and each party bear its own litigation costs.

On the 8th, the second argument session in the damages lawsuit filed by outdoor brand Ider against Kim Soo-hyun and his agency Gold Medalist was held at the 45th Civil Division of Seoul Central District Court. Previously, Ider had filed a damages lawsuit in August last year, claiming that its brand image was damaged after allegations surfaced regarding Kim Soo-hyun's alleged dating relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor at the time, while he was serving as an advertising model for the brand.

On this day, Ider withdrew its claim for damages due to the previous social controversy and reduced the claimed amount from approximately 2.5 billion won to about 400 million won. The advertiser stated that it would only seek the return of the remaining model fees according to the advertising model contract.

However, the court indicated that it appears Ider changed its claim because it is difficult to recognize the previous damages claim. The court expressed the view that "if so, there are doubts as to whether the changed claim can be legally recognized."

In this case, the court determined that both Ider and the defendants Kim Soo-hyun and his agency suffered damage due to the allegations raised by Kim Se-ui (CEO). Considering that Kim Soo-hyun's side is also negotiating with other advertisers, the court recommended that Ider consider withdrawing its claim in a way that maintains the advertising model contract and concludes the dispute by having each party bear its own litigation costs.

This argument session is significant as it is the first case where an advertiser withdrew a large-scale damages claim against Kim Soo-hyun and his agency following Kim Se-ui (CEO)'s arrest and only demanded the return of remaining model fees under the contract. It remains to be seen whether this will affect other ongoing lawsuits by advertisers.

It is reported that Kim Soo-hyun is currently facing a total of 10 billion won in damages lawsuits from companies including Ider, Frombio, Classis, Kukoo Electronics, and Trend Maker.

Previously, Kim Se-ui (CEO) has consistently claimed since March last year through YouTube broadcasts and other platforms that Kim Soo-hyun had a dating relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor at the time, and bore responsibility for her death. Additionally, on behalf of the bereaved family, Kim Se-ui (CEO) held a press conference and released audio recordings allegedly of the late Kim Sae-ron and materials claimed to be KakaoTalk conversations with Kim Soo-hyun.

However, investigative authorities determined that the audio recording files released by Kim Se-se were fabricated using generative artificial intelligence (AI), and that the KakaoTalk conversation content between Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron was also manipulated.

Accordingly, police applied charges including violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc. (defamation by posting false facts), violation of the Special Act on Punishment of Stalking Crimes, violation of the Special Act on Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, etc. (distribution of filmed materials using cameras, etc.), threats, and attempted coercion. On May 14, an arrest warrant for Kim Se-se was requested. Subsequently, the court issued an arrest warrant, citing concerns about evidence destruction and escape. As a result, Kim Se-se was arrested and indicted on the 23rd of last month.

Following Kim Se-se's arrest, Kim Soo-hyun's agency released an official statement saying, "We deeply thank those who have spoken out for Mr. Kim Soo-hyun for a long time while waiting for the procedures prescribed by law, even though they are not direct parties to the case." The agency added, "We also express our gratitude to all those who have worked hard through direct investigations to reveal the truth of the case and to everyone who has joined us so that the reality of the case can be widely known."

Meanwhile, the third argument session for the damages lawsuit filed by Ider against Kim Soo-hyun and his agency is scheduled to be held on August 26.

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*This content was translated by AI.