South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun has returned to the public spotlight through a new campaign with Philippine clothing brand Bench, marking one of his first major public activities after a year-long controversy.
At the same time, reports claiming he has received around 40 movie and drama scripts have fueled fresh discussion about how male and female celebrities are treated differently in the Korean entertainment industry.
According to industry insiders, interest in casting Kim Soo Hyun has reportedly grown following the recent arrest of Garosero Research Institute CEO Kim Se Ui, Koreaboo reported.
Although neither the reported project offers nor his comeback plans have been officially confirmed by his agency, the reports quickly spread online and sparked strong reactions.
Kim Soo Hyun recently filmed a new campaign for Bench, a brand he first endorsed in 2021.
Bench founder Ben Chan shared photos from the shoot on July 14 with the caption, “Always in our heart.” Digital creator Miguel Pastor also uploaded a behind-the-scenes video that included the message “welcome home,” showing the actor smiling while posing with the team.
Kim Soo Hyun Faces Fresh Scrutiny
According to Asia One, the campaign has become a major sign that Kim Soo Hyun is gradually returning to the limelight after the controversy involving the late actress Kim Sae Ron.
Last year, Garosero Research Institute released private photos and claimed the two had dated while Kim Sae Ron was underage. Kim Soo Hyun denied the allegation during a press conference, insisting they were not in a relationship when she was a minor.
In May, South Korean media reported that police concluded key materials presented by journalist-turned-YouTuber Kim Se Ui were fabricated. Reports said chat messages had been edited and an audio recording had been manipulated using artificial intelligence.
Prosecutors later filed an arrest warrant against Kim Se Ui on charges related to alleged illegal filming and distribution, and reports in late June stated he remains on trial. Even with those developments, legal matters connected to the case have not been fully resolved.
Meanwhile, Kim Soo Hyun’s Disney+ series “Knock-Off,” which was completed before the controversy, still has no confirmed release date.
Online discussions have shifted beyond Kim Soo Hyun himself. Many social media users argued that actresses often face longer career setbacks over controversies, while male stars are more likely to resume work after serious public scrutiny.
Some pointed to the experiences of Kim Sae Ron and Park Shin Hye as examples in the broader conversation.