Movie Director Faces Defamation Charges Over Actor Kim Soo Hyun
Director Lee Jung Sub, who has been accused of defaming actor Kim Soo Hyun, has now been referred for prosecutorial investigation.
According to a report by SBS Entertainment News on February 6, 2026 (KST), the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul recently found sufficient grounds to file charges of defamation against Lee Jung Sub and forwarded the case to prosecutors. The complaint was the result of strong legal action taken by a coalition of Kim Soo Hyun’s fan communities, who responded through a law firm.
Lee Jung Sub had repeatedly posted criticism targeting Kim Soo Hyun on his personal social media accounts. In particular, he called the troubled actor names such as “child sex offender” and shared posts written by others containing related allegations, actions that effectively appeared to treat the accusations as fact, further fueling controversy. Following the investigation, police concluded that these actions constituted defamation.
While a referral to prosecutors does not automatically result in a guilty verdict, the decision is significant because investigative authorities have formally determined that there is reasonable suspicion, which is expected to have major repercussions.
The two first crossed paths through the 2017 film Real, but tensions arose when Lee Jung Sub abruptly stepped down from the project during production.
Read more about Real here:
“Real” Original Director Speaks Up About Kim Soo Hyun And Sulli In Light Of Recent Controversy
