Kim Soo-hyun wins lawsuit against Mido over advertising contract fees

Actor Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, Goldmedalist, have won a lawsuit against the Swiss watch brand Mido regarding the return of advertising contract fees. The Seoul Eastern District Court dismissed Mido’s claim for approximately 577 million KRW, which the brand sought following the unilateral termination of their contract last year.

Mido had terminated the agreement in May 2023, citing a loss of commercial value due to allegations regarding Kim’s private life. However, the court ruled that the grounds for contract termination were not established, siding with Goldmedalist’s argument that Kim bore no responsibility for the controversy, which stemmed from false allegations.

The ruling has become final as Mido did not file an appeal within the permitted timeframe. This legal victory follows a previous police decision in July that cleared Kim of child welfare law violation charges due to insufficient evidence. The outcome is expected to influence other ongoing legal disputes involving Kim and various brands.