Kim Soo-hyun Faces Legal Battle Amidst Unverified Relationship Allegations

Actor Kim Soo-hyun is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with several brands he endorsed, following allegations of a past relationship with actress Kim Sae-ron during her minor years.

The Seoul Central District Court recently held the first hearing for a lawsuit filed by Cuckoo Electronics and its subsidiaries against Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist. The companies are seeking damages amounting to billions of Korean Won, citing reputational harm and a breach of trust.

During the hearing, the court requested clarification on the specific contractual breaches attributed to Kim Soo-hyun, questioning whether the mere controversy was sufficient grounds for contract termination or if a more concrete fault on his part was required. The allegations are currently under investigation, and Cuckoo Electronics insists that the civil lawsuit can proceed regardless of the criminal case's outcome. The next hearing is scheduled for January 16th.

Beyond the Cuckoo lawsuit, Kim Soo-hyun faces additional claims totaling approximately 7.3 billion Korean Won from other companies. One medical device firm has even sought the provisional seizure of his apartment, seeking around 3 billion Won. The outcome of these cases is being closely watched as they could set precedents for other brands.

His professional activities have also been impacted. The filming and release of the Disney+ series 'Knock Off,' initially planned for this year, have been put on hold due to the controversy. The series was notably absent from Disney+'s recently announced lineup for the upcoming year.

Kim Soo-hyun's representatives are strongly denying the allegations. They have particularly pointed to the possibility of AI manipulation in voice recordings related to the case and are urging for a swift forensic analysis. All eyes are on the resolution of this personal controversy and its potential impact on his career.

Netizens are expressing a range of opinions, with some hoping for his vindication, others eager for his return to acting once the truth is clear, and some questioning the brands' sensitivity to the situation. The public is closely monitoring the developments.