South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has officially resumed his entertainment career after a 16-month hiatus. His agency confirmed that he recently filmed a commercial for Philippine fashion brand Bench amid ongoing legal proceedings linked to the Kim Sae-ron controversy.
M Snehanjali
July 16, 2026 / 18:26 IST
The actor suspended his entertainment activities in March last year after allegations emerged about his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
- Kim Soo-hyun completes first work activity in 16 months.
- Hiatus followed allegations about past relationship.
- Actor faces ongoing legal disputes.
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South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has officially returned to work after stepping away from the entertainment industry for more than a year. His agency, Gold Medalist, confirmed that the actor recently completed a commercial video and photo shoot for Philippine fashion brand Bench, marking his first official activity in nearly 16 months.
According to Xportsnews, the commercial shoot took place on Monday and signals the beginning of Kim’s gradual return to the public eye after a prolonged hiatus.
The actor suspended his entertainment activities in March last year after allegations emerged about his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. He was accused of dating Kim Sae-ron when she was still a minor, a claim that he has consistently denied.
Kim has maintained that the two were in a relationship only after Kim Sae-ron had reached adulthood.
Following the allegations, the actor initiated legal action against Kim Se-ui, head of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, also known as HoverLab, which had publicised the claims.
Kim Se-ui has since been indicted and detained on multiple charges, including criminal defamation for allegedly spreading false information, violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, intimidation and attempted coercion.
Apart from the criminal proceedings, Kim also became involved in a civil dispute with one of his advertisers.
Outdoor apparel brand Eider filed a damages lawsuit against the actor and his agency, Gold Medalist, arguing that the controversy surrounding Kim and the late actress had negatively affected the company’s image while he served as its advertising model.
During the second hearing in the case on July 8, the court reportedly encouraged both parties to explore a settlement.
Eider had initially sought approximately 2.5 billion won (around $1.8 million) in damages. However, during the latest hearing, the company significantly reduced its claim to about 400 million won (around $290,000). Rather than seeking compensation for reputational damage, the revised claim reportedly focuses only on recovering the remaining model fees under the advertising agreement.
With his latest commercial shoot, Kim Soo-hyun has officially resumed his professional activities, marking his first public work assignment since the controversy led him to pause his career. His return comes even as the related legal proceedings continue to unfold.
M Snehanjali is a Sub Editor and journalist with over two years of experience covering general news and entertainment in digital newsroom.
first published: Jul 16, 2026 06:26 pm
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