Will actor Kim Soo-hyun reclaim his ‘lost year’? With the YouTuber who raised privacy allegations arrested, Kim Soo-hyun, who has begun stretching his wings in activities, aims to restore his life as the ‘star’ Kim Soo-hyun through overseas work. However, analysts suggest domestic activities may face constraints due to remaining legal disputes with advertisers over privacy rumors.

Kim Soo-hyun is making moves. According to his agency Gold Medalist on the 8th, Kim will conduct an advertising photoshoot with the Philippine fashion brand ‘Bench’ on July 14 of this year.

In 2024, Kim Soo-hyun seemed poised for success after achieving a peak viewership rating of 24.9% through the tvN weekend drama “Queen of Tears.” However, his activities hit a brake following the death of the late Kim Sae-ron. On February 16 of last year, after the late Kim Sae-ron passed away, claims emerged that Kim Soo-hyun pressured her to repay debts. Further allegations surfaced that he had a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, dubbed the ‘grooming suspicion.’

Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference and tearfully stated, “What I did, I did. I can accept any criticism for that. But what I did not do, I did not do. Even now, for all who believe in me, I want to clarify that. I will not ask you to believe me. I will prove it.” However, his tearful press conference drew ridicule for choosing the life of a ‘star’ and faced criticism over the credibility of the institutions he appealed to.

Over a year has passed since the tearful press conference, and the situation has reversed. The YouTuber who raised allegations about Kim’s privacy was arrested for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc. (defamation through false statements), the Special Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes, etc., the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, etc. (distribution of filmed material using cameras and coercion through filmed material), and threats. The court also rejected the YouTuber’s request for a judicial review of the arrest’s legality.

Kim’s side stated, “The deceased’s publicly disclosed KakaoTalk conversations were revealed to be fabricated or altered dialogues with someone unrelated to Kim Soo-hyun, and the deceased’s voice was confirmed to be AI-generated manipulated material.” They expressed their long-standing grievances.

Notably, Kim’s side added, “A year ago, at the press conference, we promised, ‘We will not ask you to believe us. We will prove it.’ Kim Soo-hyun’s past year was dedicated to keeping that promise.” They continued, “Reflecting on the past, we have finally proven the truth through legal procedures and thorough investigations. We deeply thank everyone who believed and waited for Kim Soo-hyun during this time,” sharing their relieved sentiments.

Although the YouTuber has been arrested and Kim has begun overseas advertising work, a full return to activities may take more time. Outstanding issues remain, as advertisers have filed successive damages lawsuits against him. According to recent legal circles, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Division 22 set the next hearing date for July 3 of this year in a 2.8 billion Korean won damages claim filed by cosmetics brand A against Kim and his agency Gold Medalist. Additionally, a 3.96 billion Korean won damages claim by health functional food company B at the Suwon District Court will resume on the 10th.

Kim’s side continues to refute the minor relationship allegations as baseless and argues that claims of violating dignity obligations are unfounded. It remains to be seen whether Kim can untangle the knot and recover his ‘lost year.