Actor Kim Soo Hyun has officially resumed his entertainment activities after a 16-month hiatus, starting his comeback with a new advertising campaign for Filipino fashion brand BENCH.
The project marks his first official work since stepping away from the public spotlight in March 2025. According to his agency, Gold Medalist, Kim Soo Hyun filmed a commercial and photoshoot for the BENCH campaign 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 the entertainment business, 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 has reportedly decided to continue its partnership with him, showing its continued support.
Kim Soo Hyun stopped his activities after Kim Se Ui, the operator of the Garosero Research Institute YouTube channel, raised allegations that the actor had a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron when she was still a minor. Kim Soo Hyun and her agency have denied the allegation, saying the relationship began only after she became an adult.
The gold medalist later filed a defamation complaint against Kim Se Ui. The authorities concluded that the evidence presented, including the recordings and conversations of the messengers, 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 the drama’s 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 clothing brand Eider against gold medalist Kim Soo Hyun.
According to Korea Times, Eider had initially requested around KRW 2.5 billion (about $1.8 million) in damages, claiming that the dispute would affect its brand’s image. However, after the allegations turned out to be false, the company amended its claim and requested the return of approximately KRW 400 million in model fees for the remaining contract period.
The court reportedly found that the revised request had a weak legal basis and recommended that both parties maintain the original advertising agreement while covering their own legal fees.
After his return to advertising activities, Kim Soo Hyun is also expected to make his return as an actor through the Disney+ original series “Knock-Off.”
The series had reportedly delayed its release as it monitored 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 will become a prominent figure in the counterfeit goods market after the Asian financial crisis of 1997. The character is a stark contrast to his previous role as Baek Hyun Woo in the hit drama “Queen of Tears.”
