Advertisers File Lawsuits Against Kim Soohyun
Seeking Damages and Return of Model Fees Amid Privacy Controversy
Advertisers have filed lawsuits, including claims for damages, against actor Kim Soohyun and his agency following the recent privacy controversy.
Actor Kim Soohyun, who had remained silent about the recent privacy controversy, is making a statement on the 31st at the Stanford Hotel in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung
According to Yonhap News on the 29th, citing legal sources, two companies that had advertising contracts with Kim Soohyun recently filed lawsuits with the Seoul Central District Court and the Seoul Eastern District Court against Kim Soohyun and his agency, Gold Medalist, demanding the return of model fees or compensation for damages.
Attorney Park Sungwoo of the law firm Woori, who is representing the plaintiffs, stated that in addition to these companies, other firms are also either pursuing or currently proceeding with additional lawsuits.
The companies are reportedly seeking to terminate their advertising contracts with Kim Soohyun and are demanding the return of all or part of the model fees already paid. They are also said to be claiming damages or penalties for being unable to proceed with the advertisements.
The amount of each lawsuit reportedly ranges from 400 million to 1.3 billion won, depending on the originally planned advertising period and target region.
However, the agency stated on this day that it is still in the process of confirming whether lawsuits have been filed.
Kim Soohyun is facing allegations that he was in a romantic relationship for several years with the late actress Kim Saeron while she was a minor. According to the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute (Gaseyeon),' Kim Saeron's family claims that the late actress dated Kim Soohyun for six years, starting from when she was 15 years old.
Kim Soohyun has admitted to dating Kim Saeron but has denied that their relationship began while she was still a minor, and he has initiated legal action in response.
Kim Soohyun's side has filed a complaint against Kim Saeron's family, who provided private photos of Kim Soohyun, and Kim Seui, the operator of Gaseyeon who published them, for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (distribution of images taken with cameras, etc.). In addition, Kim Seui was also reported for intimidation after demanding the cancellation of the release of the Disney+ series "Knock Off," starring Kim Soohyun.
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