Kim Soo Hyun Faces $867K Blow as Court Rules in Favor of FromBio in Damages Lawsuit

South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun has suffered a legal setback after a court partially ruled in favor of health supplement company FromBio in a damage lawsuit linked to his advertising contract.

The court ordered the actor and his co-defendants to jointly pay approximately 1.16 billion KRW (around $867,543) in compensation, following the company’s claims that controversies surrounding his personal life had damaged its brand image and caused financial losses.

According to legal sources on Nov. 13, the Suwon District Court’s Civil Division 14, presided over by Judge Moon Hyun Ho, issued the partial ruling in FromBio’s favor. The judgment addresses the financial dispute arising from the actor’s association with the company as its advertising model.

Court Orders Kim Soo Hyun and Co-Defendants to Pay Damages

In its judgment, the court stated, “The defendants shall jointly pay FromBio 1,159,894,000 KRW, along with interest.”

The compensation will carry annual interest of 5% on the principal from October 13, 2021, through November 11, 2026. From Nov. 12 onward, the interest rate will increase to 12% annually until the outstanding amount is paid in full.

The court also determined how the litigation expenses would be divided. FromBio will be responsible for 70% of the legal costs, while the defendants must cover the remaining 30%.

The decision represents a partial victory for the company, which had sought compensation over the alleged financial consequences of its association with the actor.

FromBio’s Lawsuit Stems From Advertising Contract Dispute

FromBio signed Kim Soo Hyun as its advertising model in 2024. However, the partnership came under scrutiny after allegations concerning his personal life became public.

The company subsequently claimed that the controversy had negatively affected its reputation and resulted in financial losses. Arguing that the situation had damaged its brand image, FromBio filed a damages lawsuit against Kim Soo Hyun and others on May 16 last year.

A central issue in the proceedings was the morality clause included in the advertising agreement. The court was required to consider whether the controversy surrounding the actor amounted to a violation of this contractual provision and whether the defendants could consequently be held financially liable.

Kim Soo Hyun’s Side Disputes Contract Violation Claims

Kim Soo Hyun’s side challenged the basis of the company’s claims, arguing that unverified allegations and speculative media reports were insufficient to establish a breach of contract.

The defense maintained that public controversy alone should not automatically be treated as evidence of contractual wrongdoing. This argument was particularly relevant to the dispute over the morality clause, as the case involved determining whether the circumstances surrounding the allegations justified financial compensation.

The lawsuit consequently brought attention to the responsibilities of celebrity advertising models and the extent to which companies can seek damages when controversies involving their brand ambassadors potentially affect their commercial interests.

Controversy Involving Late Actress Kim Sae Ron

The controversy began after allegations emerged that Kim Soo Hyun had been in a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron when she was still a minor.

The claims attracted widespread attention, particularly over the timeline of their alleged relationship. Kim Soo Hyun’s representatives have consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that the two began dating only after Kim Sae Ron became an adult.

The dispute has since developed into a wider public and legal controversy, with the actor’s personal life and professional associations coming under scrutiny.

FromBio’s lawsuit became one of the significant developments arising from the controversy, as the company sought to recover what it described as financial losses linked to the damage to its brand image.

Court Ruling Adds Another Development to the Dispute

The latest judgment marks a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute between Kim Soo Hyun and FromBio. While the court has ordered the defendants to jointly pay approximately 1.16 billion KRW, the actor’s side has continued to contest the allegations that triggered the controversy.

The ruling also highlights the potential contractual and financial consequences celebrity endorsement agreements can carry when public controversies affect a brand’s reputation.

With the court having partially accepted FromBio’s claims, the decision adds another chapter to the legal challenges surrounding Kim Soo Hyun as the dispute over his advertising contract continues.