Kim Soo Hyun Officially Resumes Activities a Year After Kim Sae Ron Controversy

Actor Kim Soo Hyun has officially returned to public activities for the first time in roughly one year and four months, ending a lengthy hiatus triggered by allegations involving the late actress Kim Sae Ron. His agency, GOLDMEDALIST, confirmed on July 14 that Kim is currently filming a commercial and photoshoot for the Philippine fashion brand BENCH, marking his first confirmed professional schedule since he stepped back from the spotlight last March.

The controversy that halted Kim's career centered on claims that he had been romantically involved with Kim Sae Ron while she was still a minor. GOLDMEDALIST has repeatedly denied the allegations, maintaining that the relationship began only after Kim Sae Ron reached adulthood. The dispute drew intense public scrutiny following Kim Sae Ron's death, with online commentary and speculation continuing to swirl around the actor for months afterward.

In response to the accusations, Kim Soo Hyun filed a criminal complaint against Kim Se Ui, who runs the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute, alleging defamation through the spread of false information. Kim Se Ui has pushed back publicly, claiming in a May broadcast that forensic authorities could not confirm a disputed recording had been artificially manipulated, and further alleging the case was tied to shielding an unnamed politician from separate allegations. A court subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Kim Se Ui on charges including defamation and violation of sexual crime statutes.

Kim Soo Hyun has also been contending with a separate legal battle involving outdoor apparel brand Eider, which sued him and GOLDMEDALIST last year for roughly 2.5 billion won (about $1.68 million) over alleged damage to its brand image tied to the controversy. At a hearing on July 8, Eider scaled back its demand to approximately 400 million won (around $269,000), reportedly dropping the reputational-damage claim and now seeking only repayment of remaining endorsement fees, as the court has urged both sides toward a settlement.

With the BENCH shoot serving as his first official re-entry into the industry, attention now turns to whether Kim Soo Hyun will move toward broader promotional activity in Korea and abroad, including the long-delayed release of his Disney+ series Knock Off. Industry observers say the modest, overseas-facing commercial project appears designed as a cautious first step rather than a full-scale relaunch.