Recently, Kim Dong-hee shared news of the fan club opening through his social media account, posting a message in Japanese that read, “It’s finally open. Thank you for your support,” signaling the beginning of his renewed engagement with overseas fans.
According to the official announcement, the actor’s Japanese fan club will be called “D:EAR.” His team explained that the name combines the “D” from Dong-hee with the word “Dear,” symbolizing both the fans who are precious to Kim Dong-hee and those who continue to cherish and support him.
The launch marks the clearest sign yet of Kim Dong-hee’s return to the entertainment industry following his signing with Neos Entertainment in January this year.
Kim Dong-hee first gained attention after debuting in the web drama A-Teen in 2018. He later rose to prominence through hit productions including SKY Castle, Itaewon Class, and the Netflix series Extracurricular. However, his career came to a halt in 2022 when allegations surfaced claiming that he had committed school violence against a classmate during his school years. Kim Dong-hee initially denied the accusations and filed a lawsuit against the online user who raised the claims. The case later drew significant public attention after investigators found insufficient grounds to charge the accuser.
Following the controversy, Kim Dong-hee released a public statement expressing regret, saying he sincerely apologized to anyone who had been hurt by his immature words and actions in the past and wished to resolve any lingering issues with those affected.
Since then, the actor has largely stayed out of the spotlight. The opening of an official Japanese fan club is being viewed as a meaningful step toward rebuilding his career and reconnecting with fans.
While no new acting project has been officially announced, industry observers are closely watching to see whether Kim Dong-hee will return to television or streaming productions in the near future.
Sources: Daum | 스포츠투데이