Korean actor Kim Soo-Hyun has suffered a significant financial setback as one of his luxury apartments was seized by an advisory firm due to unpaid penalty fees, Korean media reported on June 12. This development deals a serious blow to the star’s financial standing.
Details Behind the Property Seizure
According to Koreaboo, the cosmetics and skincare brand Classys initiated the seizure after receiving court approval. Kim Soo-Hyun owns three units in the prestigious Galleria Forêt complex, purchased in 2013 and 2014. The seizure specifically targets the 2013 unit after the actor failed to settle penalty fees amounting to approximately 3 billion KRW (roughly $2.19 million). These penalties stem from a controversial dating scandal involving the late actress Kim Sae-Ron. Classys reportedly filed the seizure application on May 8, which was authorized by the Seoul Eastern Court on May 20.
Actor’s Legal Team Denounces the Seizure
Kim Soo-Hyun’s lawyers have strongly condemned the seizure as unjust. In a formal statement, his legal representative Bang Sung-Hoon described the move as an attempt to unfairly paint the actor as a wrongdoer in connection with recent reports from the Garo Sero Institute concerning the ongoing scandal. Bang further accused a YouTube channel led by Kim Se-Ui of exacerbating the situation, noting that advertisers who contracted Kim Soo-Hyun have suffered financially as a result.
Bang stated, “While it is true that the seizure was court-approved, it is an unfair action. Kim Soo-Hyun is actually a victim of false allegations by HOVERLAB. The blame should lie with those spreading misinformation, but instead, the victim is being penalized for breach of contracts.” He added that the financial losses incurred by advertisers are undeniable, but they were triggered by HOVERLAB’s false claims. “If we can prove these falsehoods in court, Kim Soo-Hyun’s reputation will be restored, and advertisers will have no grounds to claim damages.”
Counter Legal Actions Target Kim Se-Ui
This legal drama intensifies as, just a day prior, two luxury apartments owned by Kim Se-Ui were provisionally seized following a civil lawsuit filed by Kim Soo-Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist. The Seoul Central District Court authorized the seizure of Kim Se-Ui’s two apartments, each valued at 2 billion KRW (around $2.9 million total). These properties were frozen as part of the ongoing litigation.
Gold Medalist has taken a firm stand by filing both criminal and civil suits against Kim Se-Ui, demanding 12 billion KRW in damages for alleged defamation linked to the actor’s dating controversy that emerged earlier this March.
