Actor Kim Soo Hyun is preparing to face his first court hearing in a ₩500 million (approximately USD 360,000) damages lawsuit filed by a cosmetics brand that terminated his endorsement contract following his high‑profile controversies earlier this year.
According to legal sources, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 22 will hold the first trial on November 21, seven months after the lawsuit was filed in April. The case was initiated by Brand A, which ended its advertising contract with Kim Soo Hyun amid public backlash tied to his alleged personal involvement with the late actress Kim Saeron and subsequent rumors spread by YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute.
In March, Brand A released a public statement confirming that it had terminated its model contract with Kim Soo Hyun, explaining:
“Given recent controversies, and out of respect for our principles of integrity and trust, we decided to end our partnership with Kim Soo Hyun and his agency.”
At the time, the one‑year endorsement deal was valid through August 2025, meaning the early termination could constitute a significant financial loss.
The brand’s decision came amid renewed scrutiny of Kim Soo Hyun’s personal life. After a selfie with the late Kim Saeron resurfaced in March 2024, speculation reignited regarding their past relationship. YouTuber Kim Seui of Garosero Research Institute accused Kim of inappropriate involvement with Kim Saeron when she was underage—a claim the actor tearfully denied at a press conference, calling it “malicious defamation.”
Despite his public defense, multiple companies withdrew endorsement deals, collectively demanding up to ₩7.3 billion (USD 5.3 million) in damages. Some reports indicate that his Seongsu‑dong luxury apartment and assets worth more than ₩3 billion have been provisionally seized.
Kim Soo Hyun later filed counter‑lawsuits against Garosero Research Institute, its CEO Kim Seui, and Kim Saeron’s family for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, while also seeking ₩12 billion in damages for reputational harm.
His attorney, Go Sang‑rok, released a lengthy statement in late September refuting all allegations, clarifying that Kim Soo Hyun had a verified romantic relationship between 2016 and 2019 long before the alleged events and even shared over 150 handwritten letters with his then‑girlfriend during his military service.
While the court prepares to begin hearings, Kim Soo Hyun remains on an indefinite hiatus from entertainment activities, marking one of the most turbulent legal and public relations battles in his career.
Sources: Daum