Kim Seon Ho, recently at the center of a tax evasion controversy, has been confirmed not to have suffered the widely rumored wave of advertising contract terminations, with several reports now clarified as misinformation.
According to industry sources on February 6, claims surrounding the termination of Kim Seon Ho’s endorsement deal with skincare brand La Roche-Posay stemmed from a misunderstanding linked to the posting of a YouTube video. The contract in question had, in fact, already expired four years ago and was unrelated to the current controversy.
Although Kim Seon Ho’s name was mentioned in online lists of advertisers allegedly cutting ties, it has been confirmed that these references pertained to past contracts that had naturally concluded, not newly canceled agreements.
On the same day, media reports also stated that health supplement brand Nutri D-day is continuing its partnership with Kim Seon Ho without issue. Nutri D-day selected Kim Seon Ho as its exclusive advertising model for one year last summer. A company representative said, “We plan to proceed with his modeling activities as originally scheduled through the end of the contract term.”
Another advertising industry insider explained, “Some past contract expirations are being linked to the recent controversy, creating the false impression that new contracts have been terminated. In reality, most of Kim Seon Ho’s currently active endorsement deals are continuing as normal.”
The controversy began on February 1, when a media outlet raised allegations of tax evasion, claiming that Kim Seon Ho operated a single-person corporation registered to his Yongsan-gu residence in Seoul, separate from his agency, and suggesting the entity functioned as a paper company.
Kim Seon Ho’s side has since reportedly taken voluntary corrective measures regarding the one-person company. This included returning corporate credit cards, canceling salary payments to family members, and relinquishing vehicles registered under the company’s name. In addition to corporate taxes already paid, Kim Seon Ho has also paid additional personal income taxes on earnings received through the corporation. The company is currently in the process of being shut down.
His agency, Fantagio, released an official statement, saying, “Kim Seon Ho is currently promoting under an exclusive contract signed in his personal name with Fantagio, and he is faithfully complying with all legal and tax-related procedures concerning his activities and contractual relationships.” The agency added, “The previously mentioned one-person corporation was established for theater production and related activities, not for tax evasion purposes. We would like to clearly state that there are no issues.”
Meanwhile, Kim Seon Ho’s upcoming stage appearance will proceed as planned. The production team of the play 'Secret Passage' announced the previous day, “As of now, we are preparing for the opening as scheduled, with no changes.”
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