[Dispatch=Reporter Kim So-jung] Kim Soo-hyun's side won the lawsuit seeking return of advertising contract fees from Swiss watch brand Mido.

On the 27th, the 13th Civil Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court held a hearing on the contract fee return lawsuit filed by Mido against Kim Soo-hyun's agency Goldmedalist. The claimed amount is approximately 5.7 billion won.

The court dismissed the plaintiff's claim in full. Mido raised the issue of the 'Gaseyon' revelations. It argued, "The model's commercial value was damaged and the contract was terminated, so part of the contract fee should be returned."

The agency countered that the 'Gaseyon' revelations were false, and therefore the contract termination was not valid. It stated, "The allegations about the late Kim Sae-ron's dating during her minor years are fabricated false revelations. This is not attributable misconduct by the model herself."

The court sided with Kim Soo-hyun. This is the first ruling among multiple cases brought by Kim Soo-hyun's advertisers. It is expected to have considerable influence on remaining similar trials.

Attorney Bang Sunghoon of LKB Pyeongsan told Dispatch, "Mido arbitrarily took down the advertisement following the false revelations," and "the court determined that Kim Soo-hyun's contract termination as a model was not due to her fault."

He added, "I believe this result will have a major impact on other cases." Remaining advertising contract fee return and penalty cases include Cuckoo Electronics, Classys, Dinto, Aider, and FromBio.

Mido cast Kim Soo-hyun as its model from 2020. In November 2024, it paid 900 million won in contract fees and extended the one-year contract. However, following the 'Gaseyon' revelations, it notified of contract termination. It also filed a lawsuit seeking return of contract fees for the remaining period.

In May, police determined that the 'Gaseyon' revelations were false. The dating with the late Kim Sae-ron during her minor years was false. Kim Se-ui, representative of 'Gaseyon', was indicted on charges of defamation in June.

Kim Soo-hyun resolved all legal risks. Last month, she received a decision of non-prosecution regarding allegations of violation of the Child Welfare Act. Police conducted an intensive investigation into whether there was sexual abuse during the deceased's period of being under 18 years old but determined there was no suspicion.

<Photo=Dispatch DB>