Unlike the cold reception he has faced from some audiences in his home country of South Korea, Kim Soo Hyun received a warm welcome from fans in the Philippines.
Kim Soo Hyun recently held his Our Forever with You fan meeting in the Philippines in collaboration with fashion brand BENCH. The brand continued working with the actor throughout the controversy surrounding his personal life, and he chose the partnership as part of his return to the entertainment industry.
In stark contrast to the backlash he has faced in South Korea, Kim Soo Hyun was enthusiastically welcomed by Filipino fans. The venue was packed as the actor talked with fans, interacted with the audience and participated in games, creating an energetic atmosphere. After spending more than a year and a half away from the entertainment industry amid controversy over his personal life, the actor appeared to be gradually settling back into his professional activities.
One moment in particular, filmed as Kim Soo Hyun posed for a group photo with fans at the end of the fan meeting, quickly attracted attention on social media. The actor appeared visibly emotional, with tears welling in his eyes as he pressed his lips together and exhaled deeply in an apparent attempt to hold back tears. The video soon sparked heated debate across online communities.
Many people continued to voice opposition to Kim Soo Hyun’s return and called for an ongoing boycott. Critics expressed anger that the actor was able to resume his career after facing allegations that he had dated the late actress Kim Sae Ron while she was still a minor, claims that became tied to wider controversy following her death. At the same time, many of Kim Soo Hyun’s fans strongly defended the 38-year-old actor. Responding to boycott calls, supporters pointed to the outcome of the investigation, arguing that it allowed him to move forward with his career.
Beginning in March last year, Kim Se Ui, the operator of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, made a series of allegations concerning the relationship between Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron through YouTube livestreams and other platforms. Kim Se Ui also held press conferences where he presented audio recordings and messages purportedly involving Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron.
According to the reported findings cited in the case, investigators determined that the audio recordings had been manipulated using artificial intelligence and that messages purportedly exchanged between the two had also been fabricated. Kim Se Ui was arrested in May 2026 on charges including the dissemination of false information and was indicted in June. His first trial was held on September 11.
On September 7, South Korean media reported that prosecutors had returned the investigative records concerning the allegations involving Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron to police on September 3. Earlier, on July 29, Seoul’s Seongdong Police Station decided not to forward the case for prosecution due to insufficient evidence and sent the records for review. As prosecutors did not request a supplementary or renewed investigation, the police decision was considered finalized, bringing the approximately 16-month investigation to a close.
Following the conclusion of the investigation, Kim Soo Hyun quickly resumed entertainment activities, beginning with an advertising shoot for Philippine fashion brand BENCH. On August 23, he traveled to Jakarta, Indonesia, to appear on the live television special Mahakarya RCTI 37, celebrating RCTI’s 37th anniversary. The actor is also expected to attend year-end ceremonies including The Fact Music Awards and Asia Artist Awards.
Sources: kenh14