Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team has responded after his agency, GOLDMEDALIST, won the first court ruling among several advertising contract disputes linked to the controversy surrounding the actor.
On August 27, the Seoul Eastern District Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by Swiss watch brand Mido seeking approximately 570 million KRW in returned advertising fees from GOLDMEDALIST.
Mido had renewed its endorsement agreement with Kim Soo Hyun in November 2024 after working with him since 2020. The company later ended the contract following controversy surrounding the actor and sought repayment for the remaining contract period, arguing that his commercial value had been damaged.
GOLDMEDALIST disputed that position, arguing that the controversy resulted from claims made by third parties rather than conduct for which Kim Soo Hyun was contractually responsible.
According to reports, the court did not accept Mido’s argument and found that the circumstances did not establish sufficient grounds for terminating the endorsement agreement and demanding repayment.
Following the ruling, attorney Bang Sung Hoon of LKB & Partners, representing Kim Soo Hyun’s side, welcomed the decision.
He said, “This ruling rejected an attempt to pass the damage caused by a third party’s false disclosures onto the person who suffered from them.”
The lawyer added that some advertisers had relied on claims made by outside parties during their lawsuits and expressed hope that responsibility would ultimately be placed on those legally found responsible.
The decision is drawing attention because Kim Soo Hyun and GOLDMEDALIST are reportedly involved in additional disputes with several advertisers involving damages and contract payments totaling billions of won. However, each case involves its own contracts and evidence, meaning the Mido ruling does not automatically determine the outcome of the other lawsuits.
The advertising disputes followed allegations involving Kim Soo Hyun and the late actress Kim Sae Ron. Kim Soo Hyun’s side denied allegations that he had dated Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor and challenged materials that were presented publicly as evidence.
According to the latest reports cited in the case, investigators later concluded that certain audio and messaging materials presented in connection with the allegations had been manipulated. Kim Se Ui of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute was subsequently indicted on multiple charges related to his activities and is currently facing trial.
The controversy also affected Kim Soo Hyun’s entertainment activities, including the postponement of the Disney+ series Knock-Off.
The Mido decision marks the first ruling in Kim Soo Hyun’s ongoing advertising-related legal disputes and could receive close attention as the remaining cases move forward.
