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 endeavors following a year-long controversy.
At the same time, reports that he received around 40 movie and drama scripts have fueled new discussions about how male and female celebrities are treated differently in the Korean entertainment industry.
According to insiders, interest in Kim Soo Hyun’s casting has grown following the recent arrest of Garosero Research Institute CEO Kim Se Ui, Koreaboo reported.
Although neither the reported project offers nor his return plans have been officially confirmed by his agency, the news spread quickly online and sparked strong reactions.
Kim Soo Hyun recently filmed a new campaign for Bench, a brand she endorsed for the first time in 2021.
Bench founder Ben Chan shared photos from the July 14 shoot with the caption, “Always in our hearts.” Digital creator Miguel Pastor also uploaded a behind-the-scenes video that included the message “welcome home,” showing the actor smiling as he posed with the team.
Kim Soo Hyun faces a new test
According to Asia One, the campaign has become an important sign that Kim Soo Hyun is gradually making a comeback after the controversy involving the late actress Kim Sae Ron.
Last year, the Garosero Research Institute published private photos and claimed that the two had dated while Kim Sae Ron was underage. Kim Soo Hyun denied the allegations during a press conference, insisting they were not in a relationship when she was a minor.
In May, South Korean media reported that police had concluded that key materials presented by journalist-turned-YouTube Kim Se Ui had been fabricated. Reports stated that 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 said he was still on trial. Despite these developments, the legal issues surrounding 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.
The online discussions have moved beyond Kim Soo Hyun himself. Many social media users argue that actresses often face longer career setbacks due to controversy, while male stars are more likely to resume work after serious public scrutiny.
Some have pointed to the experiences of Kim Sae Ron and Park Shin Hye as examples in a larger conversation.
