Legal standards presented in advertising contract dispute… Han Ye-seul proves the value of trust by winning in the second trial
In the tense relationship between the entertainment industry and the advertising industry surrounding the fulfillment of advertising contracts, actress Han Ye-seul has been legally recognized. On the 21st, the Seoul High Court Civil Division 37-3 ruled in favor of Han Ye-seul’s agency, High Entertainment, in the appeal case of the lawsuit for advertising model fees filed against the health food brand Life Promise operated by Next Player. The court ordered Next Player to pay Han Ye-seul’s side 66 million won and upheld the first trial decision.
The key point of this ruling lies in the effectIVEness of the clause stated in the contract, which states that the full model fee should be paid when the advertisement material is used more than once. It has been confirmed that the advertisement filmed by Han Ye-seul has already been used through the media, and therefore, the consistent judgment of the court is that the consideration should be paid according to the contract. In particular, the court explicitly stated that it is difficult to acknowledge the agency’s fault in coordinating the advertisement shooting schedule and found the advertising company’s claim for contract termination reasons to be invalid.
This case goes beyond a simple dispute over model fees and serves as an opportunity to reexamine the responsibilities and rights in entertainment advertising contracts, as well as the transparency of contract fulfillment. Recently, advertising model contracts have been gaining attention not only for short-term and results-oriented evaluation criteria but also for the fairness and ethics in the process of contract fulfillment. With the increasing number of contracts including non-standard conditions such as SNS promotion, this precedent shows the importance of clear understanding and interpretation of contract terms.
Through this ruling, Han Ye-seul has proven her commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities of advertising contracts and sincere obligations for appearances. Having maintained steady activities in the advertising and content fields, she has demonstrated a professional attitude in both contract and image management. As a result of this case, there is a growing voice hoping for more transparent and trust-based contract relationships between celebrities and advertisers.
Winning the appeal case this time holds a significance beyond monetary compensation. When contracts between advertisers and celebrities are based on mutual respect and responsibility, their synergy can lead to brand value and trust beyond advertising effects. High Entertainment also stated, “We respect the court’s decision and will do our best in contract fulfillment and image management in the future.”