Kim Soo Hyun scores major legal win against Garosero as court orders seizure of Kim Se Ui's Seoul apartments worth $2.9 million
The Seoul Central District Court has approved the seizure of two high-value apartments owned by Kim Se Ui, 48, CEO of the controversial Garosero Research Institute, following a lawsuit filed by Gold Medalist, the agency representing actor Kim Soo Hyun, 37.
According to K-media outlet Money Today, the court's decision, issued on the 9th, targets a 120.27㎡ unit in Seocho Byeoksan Blooming (Seocho-gu) and a 208.65㎡ unit in Hanyang 4th Apartment (Gangnam-gu), both owned by Kim Se Ui. Since the Gangnam property is co-owned with his sister, only Kim's 50% stake was seized. The total claim amounts to 4 billion KRW (approx. USD 2.9 million)—2 billion KRW for each property.
Garosero's role in Kim Soo Hyun's dating scandal
Garosero Research Institute gained notoriety earlier this year after exposing allegations that Kim Soo Hyun had an inappropriate relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor. The controversy erupted when Kim Sae Ron's aunt claimed the actor had been involved with her niece when she was just 15, while he was 27.
Kim Soo Hyun denied the underage dating allegations but admitted to a relationship with Kim Sae Ron only after she turned 19 (Korean age). However, Garosero escalated the scandal by releasing intimate photos of the two, including a nude photo of Kim Soo Hyun, intensifying public scrutiny.
Legal repercussions & financial fallout
Gold Medalist, Kim Soo Hyun's agency, retaliated with lawsuits against Kim Se Ui and Kim Sae Ron's family for defamation and violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, seeking 12 billion KRW (approx. $8.7 million USD) in damages.
Legal experts suggest that if the court rules against Garosero, Kim Se Ui and the bereaved family could face joint liability, meaning they may share financial responsibility regardless of individual involvement.
Financial complications: Mortgages & market value
Despite the seizure, creditors may not recover the full claimed amount. Kim Se Ui had already mortgaged both properties for a combined 5.022 billion KRW (approx. USD 3.6 million).
Seocho Byeoksan Blooming (2.5 billion KRW market value): Mortgaged for 1.32 billion KRW.
Hanyang 4th Apartment (8.87 billion KRW total value; 4.4 billion KRW for Kim's 50% stake): Mortgaged for 3.7 billion KRW.
With the seizure claim (4 billion KRW) and existing loans exceeding the properties' market values, Gold Medalist may struggle to recover the full damages sought.
Notably, the court's seizure order is provisional, meaning the final amount could change based on Kim Se Ui's defense. However, the case underscores the escalating legal and financial stakes in this high-profile scandal.
For now, all eyes remain on the courtroom as Kim Soo Hyun's agency continues its pursuit of justice and compensation against Garosero's explosive claims.
For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
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