As reported by Money Today, Kim Soo Hyun risks facing significant financial penalties if his endorsement contracts are canceled. He is said to earn approximately 500 million won ($343,000) per annual advertisement deal.
Should any agreements be breached, he could be liable for two to three times the contract amount, potentially leading to losses surpassing $13 million across 16 endorsement deals, according to Dan Tri, citing South Korean media.
Following claims by Kim Sae Ron’s family that actor Kim Soo Hyun dated her when she was 15 and contributed to her financial distress and alleged death, South Korean audiences have called on companies to cut ties with him or face consumer boycotts.
Kim Soo Hyun was filming the drama “Knock Off”, set to premiere in April. If the show faces delays or editing changes, he may also be required to compensate producers. Reports indicate he earns up to 800 million won per episode.
On March 12, Aekyung Group made advertisements featuring Kim Soo Hyun for Jeju Air private, including a 2015 campaign that targeted the Asian market. Although Jeju Air has not officially commented on the reason, sources suggest it is in response to public backlash following Kim Sae Ron’s passing.
Many other brands, including Homeplus, Shinhan Bank, Tous Les Jours, Dinto, Eider, Cuckoo, Prada, Jo Malone, and Shabu All Day, have begun removing Kim Soo Hyun’s images from social media or reconsidering their endorsements.
Dinto, a vegan beauty brand partnered with Kim Soo Hyun for several years, has halted all activities involving the actor, according to Pink Villa.
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South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun. Photo from Facebook |
Kim Sae Ron was founddeceased at herhome in Seoul on Feb. 16 by a friend, with no signs of foul play. Her funeral was held on Feb. 19.
The actress was known for making history as the youngest South Korean artist to attend the Cannes Film Festival for her debut role in the 2009 movie “A Brand New Life.” She was also the youngest actress to be nominated for Best Actress at the prestigious Baeksang Awards in South Korea.
Kim Soo Hyun, 37, one of South Korea’s highest-paid actors, has an estimated net worth of $117 million as of 2024, according to Tatler Asia.
He made his television debut in 2007 and became a major figure in South Korea with successful series such as “Dream High,” “The Moon Embracing the Sun,” “My Love from the Star,” “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” and “Queen of Tears.”
