Kim Soo Hyun Returns to Acting with Bench Campaign After Scandal

South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun resumed public activities on 14 July 2026 after a 1‑year‑4‑month hiatus caused by accusations that he had dated the late actress Kim Sae‑ron while she was a minor. Legal investigations found the audio and chat evidence presented by YouTuber Kim Se‑ui to be AI‑generated fabrications, leading to Kim Se‑ui’s arrest on defamation charges. Kim’s agency Gold Medalist confirmed his participation in a new advertising campaign for the Philippine fashion brand Bench. The brand’s founder Ben Chan posted on Instagram, “Reunited with your @benchtm family,” and the campaign’s behind‑the‑scenes photos show Kim smiles, holds a bouquet and poses with the Bench logo. Industry sources report that roughly 40 film and drama scripts have been offered to him, and fellow actor Jung Hae‑In publicly liked the Bench post in support. Ongoing civil suits with other advertisers have been partially settled, but the Bench shoot marks Kim’s first official schedule since the controversy and signals a potential full return to acting.