- By Srishti Pandey
- Thu, 13 Mar 2025 08:11 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Kim Soo-Hyun, one of South Korea's top actors, is facing a massive financial setback amid his ongoing dating scandal with the late actress Kim Sae-Ron. According to reports, the Queen of Tears star may have to pay a hefty penalty of approximately $14 million due to breaches in his endorsement contracts.
The actor, known for representing around 15 major brands such as Shinhan Bank, Prada, Homeplus and Dinto, is now seeing companies distance themselves from him. Vegan beauty brand Dinto has already halted all promotional activities involving him, while other companies like Eider and Shavolde have removed his content from their websites and social media platforms. As public backlash continues to grow, more brands are expected to cut ties with him.
Industry insiders reveal that Kim Soo-Hyun earns between $483,000 and $690,000 per brand annually. In cases of controversies affecting advertising contracts, celebrities typically face penalty fees ranging from two to three times their original fee. With 15 brands on his roster, this puts his estimated total penalty at a staggering $13.8 million.
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Adding to the turmoil, Kim Soo-Hyun’s upcoming projects might also be at risk. His next K-drama, Knock Off, is still in production, but netizens are already demanding his removal from the Disney+ series or even for the show to be scrapped altogether.
Amid the controversy, his agency, Gold Medalist, has announced plans to release an official statement next week. In their latest update, the agency promised to counter the “false statements and baseless rumours” surrounding the actor. They acknowledged the ongoing public fatigue and apologized for the delay, stating that they are working to clarify the situation with verified information.
Image: Kim Soo Hyun's agency will release an official statement next week (Source: X)
However, many netizens remain sceptical, expressing frustration over the wait. Some believe the agency is buying time to prepare a damage control strategy, especially after explosive videos and letters surfaced, allegedly proving the actor’s relationship with Kim Sae-Ron from 2015 to 2022. Social media has been flooded with comments questioning the agency’s delayed response, with many demanding immediate clarification.