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After more than a year out of the media spotlight, Kim Soo-hyun is officially back. This July 14, 2026, the very first photos of the actor since the controversy surrounding him began were published, marking the concrete resumption of his activities.
The photos were shared by the head of the Philippine brand Bench, for which Kim Soo-hyun shot a new advertising campaign today.
In the photos, we see the smiling actor, surrounded by the Bench team, in a relaxed atmosphere. These images were taken during the filming of the commercial, the resumption of which had been confirmed a few hours earlier by his agency Gold Medalist.
An official return after a 16-month absence
Gold Medalist confirmed that Kim Soo-hyun has resumed his professional activities with this advertising campaign for Bench.
This is his first official engagement since March 2025, at which point the actor had suspended all public appearances following the publication of false allegations regarding his relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
For over a year, Kim Soo-hyun remained completely out of the public eye while the various legal proceedings ran their course.
Bench, one of the few brands that has remained loyal to him
Bench’s decision is no small matter. While most of its advertisers had suspended or terminated their partnerships at the height of the controversy, the Philippine brand is one of the very few business partners that did not abandon Kim Soo-hyun.
The photos published today thus symbolize not only her return to the camera, but also the trust that Bench has maintained in her throughout this difficult period.
Legal proceedings continue to evolve
Since the charges were filed in 2025, the investigation has progressed significantly.
Kim Soo-hyun has always maintained that his relationship with Kim Sae-ron began after she turned 18. The authorities subsequently concluded that several pieces of evidence released to the public against the actor—including audio recordings and conversations presented as evidence—had been falsified or tampered with.
Kim Se-ui, head of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute, has since been charged and detained in connection with this case, specifically for spreading false information and several other offenses.
On the civil front, the situation is also evolving. At a hearing held on July 8, the Eider has significantly reduced the amount of its claim against Kim Soo-hyun, dropping its claim for damages related to brand reputation and seeking only reimbursement for a portion of the advertising fees. The court even recommended that the two parties reach an out-of-court settlement.
After 16 months out of the spotlight, these new photos mark the first real chapter in Kim Soo-hyun's return to the public eye.
