Controversy Over School Violence Leads to Ji-su's Departure: 'The Moon Rising River' Lawsuit to Proceed to Main Trial

Agency-Production Company Adjustment Proposal Rejected
Raises Possibility of 'Kang Ji-hwan Case'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] It has been confirmed that the agency of actor Jisoo, who stepped down from the lead role in the drama "The Moon Rising River" amid school violence controversy, rejected a settlement proposal that could have partially reduced the damages they must pay to the production company. As the drama production company also raised objections to the court's compulsory settlement proposal, the compensation dispute surrounding Jisoo's withdrawal is expected to continue in the ongoing main trial. However, the court is likely to recognize the agency's liability for damages, similar to the recent case of actor Kang Ji-hwan, which is considered a similar lawsuit (Asia Economy, September 24 report "'Sexual Violence' Kang Ji-hwan faces 5.3 billion won compensation risk").

According to the legal community on the 27th, the Seoul Central District Court issued a decision replacing mediation (compulsory settlement) on the 3rd to both the drama "The Moon Rising River" production company Victory Contents and Jisoo's agency KeyEast. It is known that the court proposed a condition where the agency would pay an amount lower than the 3 billion won claimed by the production company and withdraw the lawsuit. However, both the production company and the agency rejected the settlement proposal on the 23rd.

Compulsory settlement refers to the court issuing an appropriate resolution ex officio when the parties fail to reach an agreement during the mediation process. If neither party files an objection within two weeks from the date of receiving the mediation replacement record (decision record), it has the effect of a court settlement and the case is concluded. However, if an objection is filed, the effect of the mediation disappears and the main trial proceeds.

Earlier, Victory Contents filed a lawsuit against KeyEast in April, claiming damages worth 3 billion won for the additional production costs incurred due to the lead actor replacement. At that time, "The Moon Rising River" had aired up to episode 6, and Jisoo, who played the male lead On Dal, admitted to some of the school violence allegations and voluntarily stepped down. Filming had been completed up to episode 18 out of 20. The case was assigned to the Civil Division 31 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Ji-sook), and the court referred it to mediation on the 20th of the same month. However, after three mediation sessions, both parties rejected the settlement, and the case was returned to the presiding court.

The court recently partially recognized the agency's liability for damages in a similar lawsuit. On the 16th, the Civil Division 16 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge) ruled partially in favor of the plaintiff in an unjust enrichment lawsuit filed by the drama "Joseon Survival" production company Studio Santa Claus Entertainment against actor Kang Ji-hwan (real name Jo Tae-gyu)'s former agency Jellyfish Entertainment. The court based its judgment on the penalty clause included in the contract signed between the parties, holding the agency liable for damages.

In the legal community, there is speculation that the legal dispute between the parties over Jisoo's withdrawal will reach a similar conclusion. A lawyer in Seocho-dong said, "It depends on the contents of the contract between the parties, but since the court has recognized joint liability of the agency in similar lawsuits, there is a possibility that liability for damages will be acknowledged." He added, "However, if the amount of damages is deemed unreasonably large or contrary to public order and morals, it may be reduced."