Kim Soo Hyun Secures First Court Victory in 500 Million Won Lawsuit

Kim Soo Hyun wins lawsuit against cosmetics brand
He receives 500 million won in compensation
Case linked to Kim Sae Ron controversy

Kim Soo Hyun has clinched a victory in court against a cosmetics brand that abruptly terminated his modeling contract. This ruling marks a pivotal moment for the actor, who has been battling multiple lawsuits in the wake of a personal controversy.

The court's decision not only vindicates his position but also awards him a substantial financial compensation, offering a much-needed positive turn in his ongoing legal struggles. This case is being closely watched as it could set a precedent for how similar disputes between celebrities and advertisers are handled in the future.

Kim Soo Hyun Won Lawsuit Againts Cosmetics Brand

The Seoul Central District Court recently ruled in Kim Soo Hyun's favor, ordering the cosmetics brand, referred to here as Brand A, to pay the actor 500 million won (approximately $350,000) in damages. This decision comes after Brand A decided to unilaterally end its contract with Kim Soo Hyun back in March, citing the controversy surrounding his name.

The brand announced its decision on official social media, stating the termination of contract with Kim Soo Hyun.

"We have decided to terminate our advertising model contract with Kim Soo Hyun. As a partner who has worked together on the recent controversy, we decided that it was right to uphold the principle of good faith in our relationship and contract, so it was difficult to immediately proceed with an official statement and termination of the model contract until Kim Soo-hyun and his agency expressed their position," Brand A announced on their SNS's account.

"After confirming the agency's position the day before, we determined that this was a serious reason that made it difficult to fulfill the advertising model contract, and we are officially proceeding with the contract termination process through a lawyer. We made this decision to protect the values ​​pursued by the brand and the trust of consumers," they continued.

The court's ruling, delivered in late October 2025, effectively counters the brand's initial claim, finding the termination unjustified.

Several Brands Cut Ties with Kim Soo Hyun

The lawsuit with Brand A is just the tip of the iceberg for Kim Soo Hyun. In the aftermath of the scandal involving the late actress Kim Sae Ron, the actor faced a severe backlash from the advertising industry.

It has been reported that he is facing a staggering 7.3 billion KRW (approx. $5.3 million) in lawsuits from various advertisers who similarly dropped him. Beyond just Brand A, other companies he had endorsement deals with initiated legal actions to claim damages, leading to a massive financial and reputational crisis for the star. Furthermore, in a move that highlighted the severity of the situation, applications were filed for the provisional attachment of his assets, including a 100 million won debt claim and his luxury apartment in the Galleria Foret complex in Seongsu-dong, valued at around 3 billion won.

So, what is the latest on the Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron case that started it all? The controversy erupted in March 2024 when Kim Soo Hyun posted a selfie with his former labelmate, the late Kim Sae Ron. This action reignited public discussion about her past, including a 2022 drunk-driving incident.

The situation intensified when the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute aired allegations about Kim Soo Hyun's private life and an underage relationship. Although Kim Soo Hyun held an emotional press conference to completely deny the claims, the channel continued to release more material.

In response, Kim Soo Hyun and his legal team went on the offensive. They filed criminal complaints for defamation against the channel's CEO and Kim Sae Ron's family, and also lodged a massive 12 billion won civil damages lawsuit against them. His attorney has vehemently refuted the allegations, even presenting evidence of the actor's past relationship with another woman to disprove the timeline suggested by the rumors.

As of now, the legal battles on both fronts, against the advertisers and against the YouTube channel, are ongoing, with the next key date being the first hearing for the Brand A lawsuit in November. The outcome of these intertwined cases will be crucial in determining the final chapter of this highly publicized ordeal for the acclaimed actor.

Source: Star News, Allkpop