South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun has challenged a court ruling that ordered him and his agency, Goldmedalist, to jointly pay approximately 1.16 billion won to health supplement company FromBio. The Suwon District Court delivered a partial ruling in the company's favour on November 13, 2026, in a lawsuit connected to the controversy surrounding the actor and late actress Kim Sae Ron.
However, the court rejected FromBio's demand for additional contractual penalties. Kim's agency has expressed disagreement with the decision and plans to pursue an appeal, maintaining that the actor should not be held financially responsible for the controversy.
The case is among several legal disputes that emerged after allegations about Kim's past relationship with Kim Sae Ron became public in 2025. The controversy also affected his advertising partnerships and professional commitments.
Why Did FromBio Sue Kim Soo Hyun?
FromBio signed Kim Soo Hyun as its advertising model in October 2024. However, the company later suspended promotional activities featuring the actor after allegations emerged that he had dated Kim Sae Ron when she was underage. Kim denied the allegations and maintained that their relationship began when she was an adult.
FromBio claimed that the controversy damaged its brand image and affected its ability to use Kim's popularity to promote its products. In May 2025, the company filed a lawsuit against the actor and his agency, Goldmedalist, seeking approximately 3.96 billion won in damages.
The claim included advertising fees and contractual penalties. The dispute centred on whether the circumstances surrounding the controversy amounted to a breach of the advertising agreement and whether Kim's side should be held responsible for the resulting financial losses.
What Did the Court Decide?
The Suwon District Court's Civil Division 14 partially accepted FromBio's claim and ordered Kim Soo Hyun and the other defendants to jointly pay approximately 1.1598 billion won, along with applicable interest. The amount corresponds to the modelling fees for the period during which the company could not use the actor in its promotional activities.
However, the court rejected FromBio's demand for contractual penalties and the remaining portion of its compensation claim. The ruling reportedly took into consideration the role of false information spread by a third party in the controversy.
The court also directed FromBio to bear 70 per cent of the litigation costs, while the defendants were made responsible for the remaining 30 per cent. Therefore, the company did not receive the full amount it had originally sought through the lawsuit.
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Goldmedalist Objects to the Ruling
Following the decision, Goldmedalist expressed disagreement with the court's ruling and confirmed that it would challenge the decision. The agency argued that Kim was a victim of false information and should not be made to return advertising fees because of circumstances beyond his control.
The agency also pointed out that the court rejected FromBio's demand for contractual penalties. It maintained that the financial dispute should be considered separately from allegations that have not been established as facts. The appeal means the dispute is not yet settled. The next legal proceedings will determine whether the order requiring Kim and his agency to return the modelling fees remains unchanged or is revised.
Other Legal Disputes Surrounding the Actor
The FromBio case is one of several advertising-related disputes involving Kim Soo Hyun and Goldmedalist following the controversy. Other brands have also pursued legal action over their agreements with the actor, although the outcomes have differed. In a separate dispute involving watch brand Mido, a court previously ruled in favour of Kim and his agency by rejecting the company's demand for the return of an advertising signing fee.
Meanwhile, Kim has also pursued legal action against Kim Se Ui, the head of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, over alleged false information. These proceedings are separate from the FromBio advertising dispute. With Goldmedalist challenging the latest ruling, the financial and contractual questions surrounding Kim's advertising agreements remain unresolved.
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