On April 22, the Kim Soo Hyun Fan Union, including Daum Cafe Eucharis and DC Inside’s Kim Soo Hyun Gallery, announced that it has initiated legal action against individuals spreading false and malicious rumors online about the actor.
The fan union stated, “There has been an ongoing spread of malicious rumors and defamation targeting Kim Soo Hyun by individuals unrelated to him through online communities and social media. We are currently pursuing a criminal complaint.”
Attorney Yang Tae Young from Law Firm Siwoo, who represents the fan union, revealed plans to file the complaint with Seoul Seongbuk Police Station as early as this week. The union is accusing the perpetrators of defamation under Korea’s Information and Communications Network Act.
Unlike insult charges, which require a direct complaint from the victim, defamation charges can be pursued by third parties. The fan union emphasized that this action is not limited to domestic fans, noting that international fan communities are also participating in the effort.
“This is a voluntary movement to protect the actor’s rights and preserve a healthy fan culture,” the fan union said. “We will not tolerate personal attacks or defamatory comments disguised as freedom of expression. No leniency will be shown.” They added that they have collected extensive evidence, including malicious comments, manipulated images, and fabricated posts, which have circulated online over several months.
Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, also filed a legal complaint on April 15, stating, “Groundless speculation and unverified claims are being repeatedly posted online, damaging the artist’s reputation.” The agency confirmed it has filed defamation and insult charges with the relevant authorities.
Furthermore, last month, Kim’s side filed a 12 billion KRW (approx. $8.7 million USD) damages lawsuit against the family of the late actress Kim Sae Ron and operators of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute (HoverLab).
The legal actions stem from claims made by Kim Sae Ron’s family and the Garosero Research Institute, who alleged that Kim Soo Hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae Ron from 2015 to 2021, starting when she was a minor. They presented supposed evidence including a handwritten letter from Kim Soo Hyun during his military service and a photo of him kissing her on the cheek.
In response, Gold Medalist clarified on March 14 that Kim Soo Hyun only dated Kim Sae Ron after she became an adult, specifically from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020. Kim Soo Hyun himself addressed the issue in a press conference on March 31, stating, “I did not have a relationship with her while she was a minor.”
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