Kim Soo-hyun's luxury apartment temporarily seized in escalating legal battle with advertiser

Kim Soo-hyun / Xportsnews

Actor Kim Soo-hyun is facing controversy after one of his former advertisers filed for the provisional seizure of one of his luxury apartments over an unpaid penalty fee.

According to legal documents, a medical device company that had hired Kim as a brand model filed for provisional seizure of his real estate on May 8. Later that month, the Seoul Eastern District Court granted the request, approving the seizure of an apartment owned by Kim in the high-end Galleria Foret complex. The claim is reportedly worth 3 billion won ($2.2 million).

The company is said to have terminated its advertising contract with Kim following his scandal involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron and demanded compensation, which it claims remains unpaid.

Kim reportedly owns three units in Galleria Foret, located in eastern Seoul's Seongdong District. He purchased a 217-square-meter unit for 4.02 billion won in October 2013, followed by a 170-square-meter unit for 3.02 billion won in October 2014.

Kim Soo-hyun / Xportsnews

In January 2024, he acquired a 217-square-meter penthouse for 8.8 billion won. The total market value of the three properties is now estimated at around 30 billion won.

On Thursday, Kim’s legal representatives at law firm LKB & Partners confirmed that the provisional seizure was related to the advertiser’s compensation claim. However, they refuted separate allegations made by controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute (HoverLab), commonly known as Gaseyeon.

“The claims made by Gaseyeon are entirely false,” the firm said. “It is increasingly clear that Kim Soo-hyun is the victim of a crime, and it is deeply regrettable that he continues to suffer secondary harm.”

The controversy traces back to suspicions raised earlier this year that Kim had dated Kim Sae-ron for six years beginning in 2016 when she was a minor. Gaseyeon cited claims by the late actress’s family and released private photos and messages via its YouTube channel.

In March, Kim held a press conference to deny the allegations, stating that his relationship with Kim Sae-ron only began after she became a legal adult. His legal team subsequently filed a criminal complaint against Gaseyeon’s CEO, Kim Se-eui, and members of Kim Sae-ron’s family under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, alleging the unlawful distribution of private content.

They also filed additional suits for defamation and violation of the Anti-Stalking Act, as well as a 12 billion won civil lawsuit for damages. In response, Kim Sae-ron’s family filed counter-charges, accusing Kim of violating the Child Welfare Act and making false accusations.

In a further escalation, Kim’s legal team filed for the provisional seizure of two apartments owned by Gaseyeon CEO Kim Se-eui, which the Seoul Central District Court granted on June 9.

Following the success of the 2024 drama “Queen of Tears,” Kim had been set to star in Disney+’s upcoming series “Knock Off,” but the show’s release has been postponed. His commercial endorsement activities have also been suspended.

This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.