The Kim Soo-hyun lawsuit saga continues to intensify as several top Taiwanese media outlets, including Sanli News Network, report that 7-Eleven Taiwan is preparing legal action against the South Korean actor. The convenience store giant had signed a major promotional agreement with Kim Soo-hyun for an expansive nationwide campaign featuring his image on various products—from snacks and drinks to exclusive collectibles.

As part of the high-profile partnership, Kim was also scheduled to appear at a major cultural festival in Kaohsiung this past March. The event was set to be a key publicity boost, drawing widespread attention from fans and media.

Campaign Halted, ₩6 Billion KRW Losses

The marketing collaboration was abruptly terminated following a surge of online backlash tied to allegations about Kim Soo-hyun’s personal life. As a result, 7-Eleven Taiwan halted all marketing activities and scrapped production plans for branded merchandise.

Reported financial damages total 130 million TWD—equivalent to roughly ₩6 billion KRW or $4.4 million USD. These losses stem from:

• Manufacturing and marketing expenditures
• Event cancellation costs
• Reputational damage to the 7-Eleven brand

Insiders claim the company is preparing to file a lawsuit against Kim Soo-hyun’s management agency to recover these losses.

Allegations Tied to Kim Sae-ron

The scandal originates from explosive allegations that Kim Soo-hyun was romantically involved with actress Kim Sae-ron when she was reportedly just 15 or 16 years old, and he was 28.

Fueling the public backlash was content released by the family of a deceased individual, shared via the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute. This included:

• Alleged handwritten notes
• Audio clips
• Photos pointing to a past relationship

These materials quickly circulated online, prompting brands to reassess their partnerships with the actor.

Kim Soo-hyun’s Public Denial and Legal Action

In a recent press conference, Kim Soo-hyun acknowledged knowing the deceased individual but firmly denied any relationship occurred when she was underage. He dismissed all misconduct claims as baseless.

In response, the actor has initiated a series of legal actions:

• Suing the bereaved family for defamation
• Filing lawsuits against YouTuber Kim Si-wi for spreading false content
• Vowing strict legal consequences for further slander and misinformation

His agency also released a strong statement emphasizing zero tolerance for reputational harm.

Career Fallout and Contract Risks

Before the controversy, Kim Soo-hyun enjoyed widespread success from his role in tvN’s Queen of Tears. He held endorsements across numerous sectors, including:

• Fashion and cosmetics
• Food and beverages
• Luxury and electronics brands

Now, with 7-Eleven Taiwan considering a lawsuit and multiple South Korean brands reportedly reviewing their contracts, Kim could face financial liabilities surpassing ₩6 billion KRW.

The long-term consequences for his career and public image remain uncertain.