Actor Kim Soo-hyun has been spotted in a noticeably worn-down state in Seoul, as ongoing legal battles tied to advertising contracts continue to weigh on him, according to a YouTube report that is gaining traction online.
The claim surfaced on a recent video from the YouTube channel run by former entertainment reporter Lee Jin-ho. Citing an acquaintance, Lee said, “About four to five days ago, someone I know happened to see Kim Soo-hyun in Seongsu-dong,” adding, “He looked extremely gaunt and exhausted.”
After sharing the alleged sighting, Lee said, “It is understandable given the situation,” claiming that the actor faces a financial structure where “expenses of tens of millions of won occur every month just by maintaining his operations.”
Kim, one of Korea’s highest-paid actors known globally for hit dramas such as “My Love from the Star” and “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” has been embroiled in controversy linked to a dispute with the bereaved family of late actress Kim Sae-ron. The fallout has led to multiple advertisers seeking damages.
A cosmetics company has filed a lawsuit seeking 2.8 billion won ($2.1 million) in damages against Kim and his agency. The case centers on whether the actor violated contractual obligations to maintain a public image befitting an advertising model.
Two hearings were held in November last year and March this year, with both sides disputing the issue. A third hearing, originally scheduled for April 24, was postponed.
Kim’s legal representative, attorney Bang Sung-hoon of law firm LKB & Partners, said, “The hearing has been deferred to a later date to await the outcome of related criminal proceedings.”
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
Source: Korea Times News
