KIM SOO HYUN
As the lawsuit for damages between the camp of the actor KIM SOO HYUN and the cosmetics brand “A” continues, KIM SOO HYUN‘s camp has once again denied suspicions of a relationship with a minor.
On March 13, the 22nd Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court held the second hearing of the lawsuit for damages in the amount of 2.8 billion won (approximately 17 million euros) filed by the cosmetics brand “A” against KIM SOO HYUN and his agency GOLDMEDALIST. On that day, the court limited itself to verifying the progress of the procedure before deciding to continue the pleadings at the next session.
The lawyer from the law firm LKB & PARTNERS, legal representative for KIM SOO HYUN‘s camp, explained:
“Contrary to the first hearing, the composition of the court changed this time, and the session was continued to confirm existing discussions and record the progress of the case.”
In addition, the lawyer reported: “The court asked for news of the case where Mr. KIM SOO HYUN filed a complaint against Mr. Kim Se-eui, the administrator of “Hoverlab”, but no verdict has yet fallen. We expect a decision to be rendered soon.”
Regarding the legal dispute with company “A”, he stated: “There is an amount of damages claimed by party “A”, but our position is that the termination of the contract is impossible and that, consequently, this amount cannot be recognized. It is stipulated in the contract that “rumors, noises and contents whose authenticity is not verified cannot constitute a ground for termination of the contract”. Company “A” claims that the contents raised by “Hoverlab” are facts, but we consider that they are only rumors.”
The lawyer then added: “Ultimately, any judgment must be rendered after having waited for the results of the criminal case. Subsequently, we will also be able to express our opinion regarding the amount of damages.”
Previously, last May, Kim Se-eui held a press conference with the family members of the late KIM SAE RON and made public a recording containing the claim that “KIM SOO HYUN was dating KIM SAE RON since she was a minor”. Regarding this, KIM SOO HYUN‘s camp filed a complaint against Kim Se-eui for defamation and other charges, claiming that it was an “AI-manipulated recording”.
Company A announced in March of last year, via its official social networks, that it was terminating its advertising model contract with KIM SOO HYUN. At the time, the contract was valid for one year and was to continue until August 2025.
During the first hearing held last November, party A stated: “Due to the controversy related to the late KIM SAE RON, the model KIM SOO HYUN failed in his obligation to maintain dignity, making the situation impossible for the execution of the advertising contract. After her death, when the fact of their relationship resurfaced, Mr. KIM SOO HYUN changed his position by claiming that “it is true that we dated, so the relationship period is after she became an adult”. The simple fact that Mr. KIM SOO HYUN dated a person of the opposite sex while she was a minor constitutes a violation of the maintenance of dignity”, thus claiming that the termination of the contract was justified.
In addition, party “A” raised an issue regarding the fact that KIM SOO HYUN had denied the rumors of a romantic relationship with the late KIM SAE RON. Party “A” maintained that, even if, as KIM SOO HYUN claims, they had dated when the late KIM SAE RON was 20 years old, one can interpret that a bond had continued between the two people since her minority period.
On the other hand, KIM SOO HYUN‘s camp replied: “The thesis of the relationship with a minor is groundless, and the actual relationship is an event that occurred after the other party became a university student. The initial denial is an event prior to the contract and it is difficult to link it to a violation of the maintenance of dignity at the time of the contract.”
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS KIM SOO HYUN
