[Exclusive]Kim Soo-hyun's lawyer: "No shifting of damages from false allegations" – First victory in dispute with advertisers, its significance

*This content was translated by AI.

While Kim Se-won, CEO of the horizontal and vertical research institute, is under arrest and on trial for charges including spreading false information about actor Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Soo-hyun's side has won a lawsuit seeking the return of an advertising contract fee totaling 570 million won from Swiss watch brand Mido. This marks the first court ruling in legal disputes between Kim Soo-hyun and his advertisers. Kim Soo-hyun's representatives welcomed the verdict, stating that the court determined damages caused by false allegations from third parties cannot be shifted onto Kim Soo-hyun's side.

Park Sung-hoon, a lawyer representing Kim Soo-hyun at LKB Pisan, told StarNews on the 29th: "This ruling rejects claims attempting to shift damages caused by false allegations from third parties onto the victim." He added, "We welcome the court's commonsense judgment." He further stated, "Some advertisers have essentially adopted Kim Se-won's arguments in their lawsuits, which itself causes significant pain to the victim. We hope that, through this ruling, those truly responsible will be held accountable."

This ruling is significant because a key issue was whether there were contractual grounds to hold Kim Soo-hyun and his agency liable. Mido argued that the model's commercial value was damaged due to controversies surrounding Kim Soo-hyun, but the court ruled that such controversies did not constitute valid grounds for terminating the contract or claiming return of remaining contract fees. The decision is interpreted as meaning that a company cannot terminate an advertising contract based on external controversies unrelated to the model's fault, nor can it demand financial responsibility from the model's side.

Earlier, StarNews reported that Seoul Eastern District Court's 13th Civil Division dismissed Mido's claim for return of contract fees totaling 570 million won filed against Gold Medalist on the 27th.

Mido signed an advertising model contract with Kim Soo-hyun in 2020 and renewed it annually. In November 2024, Mido paid a contract fee of 900 million won to extend the contract for one year. However, after scandals surrounding Kim Soo-hyun emerged, Mido terminated the contract and filed a lawsuit demanding return of the contract fees corresponding to the remaining contract period.

Mido argued: "Since the model's commercial value was damaged leading to contract termination, a proportional return of the contract fee is required." In response, Gold Medalist countered: "The controversy stems from fabricated false allegations by third parties, not from any fault on the part of the model himself."

The court did not accept Mido's arguments. It ruled that grounds for contract termination were not established and dismissed Mido's claims.

Kim Soo-hyun is reportedly involved in legal disputes over damages and return of contract fees totaling 10 billion won with several advertisers including Eider, Prombio, Classis, Kukje Electronics, and Trend Maker, in addition to the Mido lawsuit. Attention is focused on whether this ruling will influence other disputes with advertisers.

Kim Soo-hyun previously faced controversy over allegations that he dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron during their minor years. Kim Se-won, CEO of the horizontal and vertical research institute, has maintained since March last year through YouTube broadcasts and other platforms that Kim Soo-hyun dated the late Kim Sae-ron and bears responsibility for her death.

As a result, the release of Disney+ series "Knock Off," starring Kim Soo-hyun, was temporarily suspended. Kim Se-won held a press conference on behalf of the bereaved family and released materials including audio recordings allegedly of the late Kim Sae-ron's voice and KakaoTalk conversations with Kim Soo-hyun.

However, investigative authorities determined that the audio recording files released by Kim Se-won 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, the Prosecution Service arrested and indicted Kim Se-ui (CEO) on June 23 on charges including violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (defamation by spreading false facts), violation of the Special Act on Punishment of Stalking Crimes, violation of the Special Act on Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (distribution of recordings made with cameras, etc.), threats, and attempted coercion.

Kim Soo-hyun is proceeding with his return to activities. He conducted a photoshoot for Philippine clothing brand Bench on the 14th of last month and recently participated in "Mahakarya RCTI 37," an event celebrating the 37th anniversary of RCTI's launch held in Jakarta, Indonesia, continuing his overseas activities. Separately, he received a decision not to prosecute on charges including violation of the Child Welfare Act (child abuse) on the 29th of last month.

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*This content was translated by AI.