Actor Kim Soo-hyun, who is embroiled in a personal controversy, is now facing lawsuits from advertisers.

According to legal sources on April 28, two companies, referred to as Company A and Company B, which had signed advertising contracts with Kim Soo-hyun, filed lawsuits against the actor and his agency, Gold Medalist, at the end of this month. The suits seek the return of model fees and additional damages.

The combined value of the lawsuits from these two companies alone is estimated at around 3 billion KRW (approximately $2 million).

In addition to the two companies that have already taken legal action, other advertisers are reportedly preparing to join the lawsuit battle.

Company C is also considering suing Kim Soo-hyun for breach of trust, seeking either the return of modeling fees or penalties for contract termination.

Attorney Park Sung-woo of Law Firm Woori, representing the plaintiffs, told YTN Star, "It is known that Kim Soo-hyun had signed advertising contracts with 15 brands, with domestic modeling fees per contract ranging from 1 billion to 1.2 billion KRW (around $700,000 to $835,000)."

He added, "Usually, advertisers are reluctant for it to become publicly known that they are the first to sue a model. However, once a single lawsuit is revealed, it is likely that more advertisers will join in."

Based on the disclosed modeling fees, it is expected that the total lawsuit value could surpass 10 billion KRW (approximately $7 million).

Kim Soo-hyun has been at the center of controversy over allegations that he dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was still a minor. Further allegations surfaced claiming he pressured her over debt repayment.

In response, Kim Soo-hyun held an emergency press conference on March 31, strongly denying the allegations and announcing plans for legal action.

As the controversy intensified, Disney+ also temporarily postponed the release of Kim Soo-hyun's upcoming series Knock Off, in which he stars.

Copyright © 2023 Kpop Reporter. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.