Actor Kim Soo Hyun has officially resumed his entertainment activities after a 16-month break, beginning his return with a new advertising campaign for Philippine fashion brand BENCH.
The project marks his first official work since he stepped away from the public spotlight in March 2025. According to his agency, Gold Medalist, Kim Soo Hyun filmed a commercial and campaign photoshoot for BENCH in South Korea on July 14.
The agency announced the schedule on July 8, confirming that the actor was preparing to return to work after months away from entertainment activities, AllKPop reported.
BENCH has been working with Kim Soo Hyun as a brand ambassador since 2024. Despite the controversy surrounding the actor last year, the company reportedly decided to continue its partnership with him, showing its continued support.
Kim Soo Hyun paused his activities after allegations were raised by Kim Se Ui, the operator of YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, who claimed that the actor had been in a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron while she was still a minor. Kim Soo Hyun and his agency denied the claim, stating that the relationship began only after she became an adult.
Gold Medalist later filed a defamation complaint against Kim Se Ui. Authorities concluded that the evidence presented, including recordings and messenger conversations, had been fabricated or manipulated. Kim Se Ui was subsequently indicted and detained on charges related to spreading false information.
Kim Soo Hyun Prepares for Drama Return
The actor has also seen progress in legal disputes involving advertisers. On July 8, the Seoul Central District Court recommended a settlement in a damages lawsuit filed by outdoor apparel brand Eider against Kim Soo Hyun and Gold Medalist.
According to Korea Times, Eider initially requested about 2.5 billion KRW (approximately 1.8 million USD) in damages, claiming the controversy affected its brand image. However, after the allegations were determined to be false, the company changed its request and sought the return of about 400 million KRW in model fees for the remaining contract period.
The court reportedly found the revised claim had a weak legal basis and recommended that both sides maintain the original advertising agreement while covering their own legal expenses.
Following his return to advertising activities, Kim Soo Hyun is also expected to make his acting comeback through the Disney+ original series “Knock-Off.”
The series had reportedly delayed its release while monitoring developments surrounding the controversy, but discussions about its schedule are now moving forward.
In “Knock-Off,” Kim Soo Hyun plays Kim Sung Joon, a man who rises to become a major figure in the counterfeit goods market after the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The character is a sharp contrast to his previous role as Baek Hyun Woo in the hit drama “Queen of Tears.”