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Time seems to have stood still for Kim Soo-hyun. More than a year after the start of the’case which turned his career upside down, the situation now seems fixed.
This April 24, 2026 was supposed to mark a new milestone, with a hearing in the damages lawsuit pitting the actor against a cosmetics brand (DINTO). However, this 3rd hearing was finally postponed, officially «to a later date», without any new date being set. This decision follows a series of similar postponements in recent months.
Justice paralyzed by the absence of any conclusions from the investigation
Behind these successive postponements lies a much deeper blockage. The civil proceedings brought against the actor depend directly on the conclusions of the ongoing criminal investigation. This investigation has yet to deliver its verdict.
As long as the authorities fail to take a clear stand on the veracity of the accusations, the civil courts find themselves unable to move forward. This situation creates a domino effect, slowing down all proceedings and prolonging the already heavy uncertainty. The Gangnam police have repeatedly promised that they would come to the conclusions of the investigation, which they have been awaiting for several months now, but which are still missing on this April 24.
Irreconcilable positions
In this context, the opposing camps (brands VS Kim Soo-hyun) remain on opposite sides. The brands involved believe that the publicized suspicions justify the breach of contract and the claims for compensation.
For its part, Kim Soo-hyun's defense maintains a firm line, asserting that unconfirmed rumors cannot constitute valid grounds for contractual termination. This disagreement remains unresolved, pending a long-awaited court decision.
A quarry at a standstill
Beyond the legal issues, another reality is gradually emerging: that of a void. Since the beginning of the affair, the actor has been absent from screens and advertising campaigns.
In an industry where image is central, this prolonged absence is tantamount to a forced pause. Even if the presumption of innocence applies in law, in practice, uncertainty is enough to put the brakes on projects and drive away partners, all the more so with South Korea's very strong cancel culture (the slightest faux pas can put a pause or a definitive end to a career).
A growing lack of understanding among fans
This interminable wait is also beginning to arouse growing incomprehension., in Korea and abroad. Just a few weeks ago, the conclusions of the survey were presented as imminent.
To date, however, no results have been released, and no official explanation has been given for the delay. This silence fuels questions and reinforces a feeling of uncertainty surrounding the case.
More than a truth, a question of timing
The matter, already complex by nature, now seems to be bogged down in an uncertain temporality. And the more time passes, the more another question emerges.
Beyond what will be decided, it's the timing of the decision that's crucial. For in this prolonged wait, the consequences are very real. For the actor, whose career remains on hold. For the brands, involved in litigation with no short-term solution. And for the entire industry, faced with a case that has become emblematic.
In this story, the absence of an answer alone is becoming a form of verdict that leaves the victim suffering.
