Entertainment and Production Executives on Kim Soo-hyun’s Scandal “Honesty is the Key, Witch Hunts Are Dangerous”

As controversy continues to surround actor Kim Soo-hyun, the entertainment and advertising industries remain on edge. With projects such as Disney+’s upcoming series Knock-Off and numerous domestic and international advertisement deals, the financial stakes tied to Kim Soo-hyun are estimated to range from tens of billions to hundreds of billions of won.

Kim Soo-hyun’s crisis began when the family of the late Kim Sae-ron alleged that he had been in a relationship with her for six years since she was 15. His agency, Gold Medalist, initially denied any romantic involvement, but after the family provided evidence suggesting otherwise, they changed their stance, admitting to a relationship but insisting that it began only after she became an adult.

This scandal is further complicated by public outrage over alleged underage dating and the grief-driven anger of Kim Sae-ron’s family, creating a multi-layered social controversy. Kim Soo-hyun and his agency’s inconsistent responses have only fueled the backlash, making the situation even more difficult to navigate.

The entertainment industry is deeply divided on how to handle the situation. A cosmetic brand that initially stated they would “wait and see” quickly changed their stance and terminated their contract with Kim Soo-hyun, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding his future.

To gain insight, executives from management and production companies shared their perspectives on the financial impact, future challenges, and the possibility of Kim Soo-hyun’s comeback.

Management Company Executive A: “Kim Soo-hyun’s Real Damage is His Image, Not Financial Losses”

A high-ranking executive from a major management company believes that while Kim Soo-hyun’s reputation has taken a hit, his financial liabilities are likely minimal. Despite speculation about enormous contract penalties, the executive suggests that there may be little to no financial penalties involved.

“Just like in Yoo Ah-in’s case, I believe Knock-Off will still be released at some point,” A explained. “Even though Yoo Ah-in was convicted of drug use, The Match still made it to theaters because audiences can separate an actor’s personal issues from a film. There might be initial backlash, but the project will proceed.”

If Knock-Off is released, Kim Soo-hyun would not be responsible for financial damages. A stated, “A single actor’s scandal won’t bury a project worth 50 billion won. The decision will ultimately be about timing rather than cancellation.”

Regarding advertising contracts, A noted that companies distancing themselves from Kim Soo-hyun does not necessarily equate to legal contract breaches or penalties.

“Nowadays, advertisement contracts include very specific clauses regarding penalties,” A said. “Unless a court ruling confirms wrongdoing, brands typically cannot demand compensation from their models.”

A further explained that most top actors have strong contractual protections, making it unlikely that Kim Soo-hyun will suffer significant financial losses. However, the damage to his public image and career longevity is another matter entirely.

Production Company Executive B: “Even If the Scandal Dies Down, Returning to Work Will Be Difficult”

A film and drama production executive echoed similar views on contract penalties, stating that it is rare for production companies to demand compensation from lead actors over scandals. If Knock-Off is released, Kim Soo-hyun is unlikely to face financial consequences.

However, B emphasized that casting Kim Soo-hyun in future projects will be challenging.

“If this were a legal issue, he could clear his name with a verdict, but this is an image-driven controversy,” B explained. “Many producers will be reluctant to take the risk of casting him in their projects.”

Despite this, B argued that an actor’s personal scandal should not determine a project’s fate.

“A single actor does not define an entire production. Films and dramas are massive artistic and financial undertakings, involving hundreds of staff members. The controversy should not dictate whether a completed project sees the light of day.”

Management Company Executive C: “We Should Learn from Lee Sun-kyun and Kim Sae-ron’s Tragedies”

Another top executive in the management industry warned against pushing Kim Soo-hyun to the edge, stressing that public witch hunts are dangerous and should be avoided.

“Forcing an actor to the brink of ruin is not a healthy societal response. This pattern of public persecution keeps repeating itself,” C stated, criticizing Gold Medalist’s handling of the situation.

“Their initial response telling a grieving family to ‘come and find them’ was a major mistake. Their lack of sincerity only worsened the backlash.”

While acknowledging Kim Soo-hyun’s lack of transparency, C also urged society to reflect on Kim Sae-ron’s tragic passing, suggesting that placing all the blame on one individual is unfair.

“Kim Sae-ron’s death should be a moment of reflection for all of us. It’s disheartening to see responsibility being placed on just one person,” C said.

C also pointed out that the deaths of actors Lee Sun-kyun and Kim Sae-ron highlight a larger social issue the devastating impact of public scrutiny and online pressure.

Industry Consensus: Financial Risks are Low, but Honesty is Key

Despite speculation that Kim Soo-hyun may face massive financial repercussions, industry experts agree that his real battle is restoring his public image, not paying contract penalties.

Executives overwhelmingly suggested that the best course of action is honesty.

“Kim Soo-hyun has yet to directly address the situation himself. If he publicly acknowledges his past relationship with Kim Sae-ron and sincerely apologizes to her family, he has a chance at redemption,” A stated.

“The more he hides, the more the public will turn against him. The media and the public must also recognize the danger of repeating past tragedies. If we fail to learn from Lee Sun-kyun and Kim Sae-ron’s cases, we will only continue the cycle of destruction,” A concluded.