[Exclusive] Shin Hyun-jun Countersues Former Manager... "It Will Be Difficult, But I Will Not Compromise"

Actor Shin Hyun-joon [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Actor Shin Hyun-joon has filed a defamation lawsuit against his former manager Kim, who claimed to have been subjected to power harassment by him.

Shin Hyun-joon's legal representative, Law Firm Pyeongan, announced on the 30th, "Shin Hyun-joon has submitted a complaint to the Seongbuk Police Station for violation of the Information and Communications Network Act, alleging that CEO Kim spread false information and damaged his reputation."

Shin Hyun-joon also released a statement through his legal representative, saying, "I have lived as an actor for 30 years and received overwhelming love, but I have also experienced difficult times. From my considerable experience, I can clearly say that I understand better than anyone how fatal it is for a celebrity's image to be damaged."

He continued, "Even if the allegations are false, I know well that the ones who suffer as the revelations continue are not the whistleblowers hiding behind anonymity, but me and my family," explaining the reason for the lawsuit.

He said, "I first met CEO Kim around 1991 and became friends, but I later found out that he caused a lot of trouble around me, so I ended the relationship several years ago. That person disappeared for years and recently suddenly appeared, making false claims about me and maliciously trying to tarnish me by claiming to be the victim."

Shin Hyun-joon stated, "I have received advice to settle this amicably at an appropriate level, but I do not intend to compromise. I know how difficult this path will be, but with this conviction, I will not compromise with falsehoods and will take the right path."

Meanwhile, former manager Kim also filed a lawsuit against Shin Hyun-joon on the 27th for spreading false information and defamation.

Below is the full official statement from Shin Hyun-joon.

Hello, this is Shin Hyun-joon. First, I sincerely apologize for causing concern with a personal matter during these difficult times.

I, Shin Hyun-joon, have lived as an actor for the past 30 years and have received overwhelming love. I am truly grateful. However, I have also experienced difficult times. From my considerable experience, I can clearly say that I understand better than anyone how fatal it is for a celebrity's image to be damaged.

Even if the allegations are false, I know well that the ones who suffer as the revelations continue are not the whistleblowers hiding behind anonymity, but me and my family.

Mr. Kim and I first met around 1991 and became friends. Through that connection, he served as my road manager from 1995 to 2000. After about 10 years apart, he asked for help saying he had started an agency, so from 2010, I registered as an affiliated actor for six years.

However, I later found out that Mr. Kim caused a lot of trouble around me, so I ended the relationship several years ago. That person disappeared for years and recently suddenly appeared, making false claims about me and maliciously trying to tarnish me by claiming to be the victim.

My family and I are suffering tremendous mental distress. Through today's lawsuit, we will endure difficult days for the time being. I have received advice to settle this amicably at an appropriate level. However, I do not intend to compromise. Threatening to expose private matters by holding the image, which is like the lifeblood of a celebrity, hostage is an unforgivable criminal act. I also believe that acts of maliciously editing and exposing a celebrity's private life for personal gain just because one knows it must be eradicated.

I know how difficult this path will be, but with this conviction, I will not compromise with falsehoods and will take the right path.

July 30, 2020. Sincerely, Shin Hyun-joon

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.