On June 18, New Daily reported that several advertisers have begun legal proceedings against Kim Soo-hyun, citing brand damage caused by the escalating dispute with YouTuber Kim Se-ui, the operator of Garosero Research Institute, and Kim Sae-ron’s family.
The issue revolves around whether Kim Soo-hyun had a relationship with Kim Sae-ron during her time as a minor, a claim both parties have fiercely denied and which has led to ongoing legal battles.
Although the veracity of the claims is still in dispute, the prolonged scandal has reportedly diminished Kim Soo-hyun’s brand value, leading to frustration among commercial partners. A total of 16 brands had previously employed Kim Soo-hyun as their ambassador, and several of them have either initiated or are considering legal action for breach of contract and reputational harm.
Specifically, Kim Soo-hyun and his agency Gold Medalist are facing:
- ₩850 million from Cuckoo Electronics
- ₩2.03 billion from Cuckoo Electronics and affiliated entities
- ₩510 million from Trendmaker
- ₩3.96 billion from Frombio
Adding up to ₩7.34 billion in total damages claimed.
This follows an earlier report on June 12, revealing that Kim Soo-hyun had ₩3 billion worth of property seized as part of a pre-trial asset freeze by a medical device company.
Kim Soo-hyun’s legal representative, attorney Bang Sung-hoon of LKB & Partners, has strongly opposed the lawsuits, asserting Kim Soo-hyun’s innocence. “What Garo Sero is claiming is false, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that Kim Soo-hyun is the actual victim here,” Bang Sung-hoon stated. He further criticized the lawsuits as secondary victimization, expressing regret over advertisers jumping to conclusions.
The attorney emphasized that as the investigation progresses, the real culprit behind the scandal will be revealed, and these lawsuits will be addressed accordingly. Kim Soo-hyun’s legal team plans to take all necessary actions to push forward the investigation into the Garo Sero channel and its operator, Kim Se-ui.
This case has not only put one of Korea’s most beloved actors under intense scrutiny but has also raised concerns over how quickly unverified claims can jeopardize reputations and careers in the K-entertainment world.
