Kim Soo Hyun’s reputation faces a serious challenge as brands begin to distance themselves following allegations linked to actress Kim Sae Ron. The actor’s silence has led to brands removing his images and potentially not renewing contracts, raising concerns about significant financial losses.
Brand Actions and Financial Risks
Kim Soo Hyun, known for representing 16 major brands, now sees companies reacting to the controversy. Specifically:
K2 Korea & Shabu All Day: Removed all images of Kim Soo Hyun from their official platforms.
Dinto: Suspended all promotional activities with the actor, with the CEO stating they are “verifying the facts and discussing our response.”
Tous Les Jours (CJ Foodville): Reportedly plans not to renew his contract when it expires this month.
Kim Soo Hyun’s high profile in advertising, especially in China and Southeast Asia, typically earns him around 1 billion KRW per year. At his peak, his ad earnings surpassed 50 billion KRW annually. The current situation, however, poses a substantial financial risk.
Industry experts indicate that a model’s public controversy can trigger penalties of two to three times the contract fee. Given Kim Soo Hyun’s estimated 500 million KRW per brand contract, potential losses could reach:
16 contracts x 500 million KRW = 8 billion KRW
If penalties are tripled → 24 billion KRW ($18 million USD) in losses!
Other celebrities have faced similar financial repercussions from scandals:
Lee Soo Geun (illegal gambling): Sued for 2 billion KRW, ordered to pay 700 million KRW.
T-ara (bullying): Their agency paid 400 million KRW in penalties.
Kim Min Hee (affair): Reportedly paid hundreds of millions to a cosmetics brand.
The Allegations and Agency Response
The controversy arose after Kim Sae Ron’s family claimed a past relationship with Kim Soo Hyun, dating back to 2015 when she was a minor. They presented handwritten letters, supposedly from him during his 2018 military service, and photos showing them together.
South Korean law regarding minors and sexual relationships adds complexity. In 2015, the legal age was 13, meaning any relationship would not have been illegal then.
Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has firmly denied the allegations, calling them “false and unacceptable.” They also stated,
“We are reviewing the strongest possible legal actions against those spreading false information.”
Gold Medalist
The situation remains tense, with brands withdrawing support and legal action threatened. Whether Kim Soo Hyun will address the situation directly, or if further claims will emerge, remains to be seen.
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Disclaimer:All data and facts presented in this article are sourced from trusted outlets believed to be accurate at the time of writing. However, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. For further verification, please cross-check with the sources listed below.
Saikat Nandy is an entertainment news writer who covers the latest trends and stories from the world of showbiz, has a keen eye for spotting the most interesting and relevant topics, and delivers them to his audience with flair and humor. He is also a freelance blogger, content writer, and website designer who loves to explore new technologies and creative ideas.
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