Actor Kim Soo Hyun has officially resumed his entertainment career, marking his first confirmed public activity in 16 months after stepping away from the spotlight.
His agency, Gold Medalist, announced that Kim Soo Hyun will participate in a new campaign for Philippine fashion brand Bench, confirming that he is filming both a commercial and a photoshoot on July 14 (KST).
“Kim Soo Hyun will be filming an advertisement for Bench on July 14.”
— Gold Medalist
The campaign represents Kim Soo Hyun’s first official entertainment schedule since suspending his activities following allegations made by Kim Se Ui of the Garo Sero Institute. The allegations claimed that Kim Soo Hyun had been in a relationship with late actress Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor, sparking months of intense public scrutiny and leading the actor to halt all promotional activities.
According to recent reports, however, law enforcement concluded that the digital “evidence” presented by Kim Se Ui had been fabricated using artificial intelligence, a development that significantly changed the narrative surrounding the controversy.
Kim Soo Hyun’s return is particularly notable because Bench is the same clothing brand that signed him as an ambassador in 2024, before his hiatus began. Despite the controversy, the Philippine brand reportedly chose to continue its partnership with the actor rather than terminate the endorsement agreement.
That decision has drawn considerable attention, with many viewing the new campaign as a sign of the company’s continued confidence in Kim Soo Hyun.
While his advertising activities have officially resumed, Kim Soo Hyun’s acting comeback remains uncertain.
His highly anticipated Disney+ drama Knock Off has not yet received a release date. Disney+ previously stated that it has not made a final decision on whether the series will proceed with its planned broadcast, leaving the future of the project unresolved.
For now, the Bench campaign marks Kim Soo Hyun’s first official step back into the entertainment industry after more than a year away from public activities. Whether this signals a full-scale return to acting will likely depend on future announcements regarding Knock Off and other upcoming projects.
