South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun is set to make his highly anticipated return to public activities.
The 38-year-old star will resume work with a commercial shoot, marking his first confirmed project after nearly a year away from the spotlight amid legal disputes and a hiatus from the entertainment industry.
According to a report by Newsen on June 8, 2026, Soo Hyun is slated to film a campaign for leading Philippine fashion brand Bench on July 14, 2026.
His agency, GOLDMEDALIST, confirmed that the upcoming project will be a print advertisement campaign.
The shoot will reportedly take place in South Korea and will be conducted privately.
In a statement, the agency said, as translated in English: "It is true that he will be filming a Philippine advertisement. The shoot is scheduled for July 14."
Kim Soo Hyun has been tapped by Bench as an ambassador since 2021, when he was introduced as a Global Benchsetter.
His last visit to the Philippines was in June 2022 for his fan meeting, One Extraordinary Day, held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
KIM SHOO HYUN CONTROVERSY
Kim Soo Hyun later withdrew from public appearances amid several controversies.
Actress Kim Sae-ron died by suicide in February 2025, on the same day as Soo Hyun’s birthday.
In March 2025, Soo Hyun was accused of having a six-year relationship with the late actress starting in 2015, when she was still underage. He also faced allegations of pressuring her over debt issues.
Soo Hyun denied the accusations during a press conference, asserting that their relationship began only after Sae-ron had already reached adulthood.
Following the controversy, multiple brands reportedly severed ties with the actor, while his Disney+ series Knock-Off, originally scheduled for release in 2025, was put on indefinite hold.
Investigations later found that the KakaoTalk messages and audio recordings allegedly involving Soo Hyun and Sae-ron—shared by the YouTube channel HoverLab (Garo Sero Institute)—had been altered or manipulated.
Prosecutors have since taken up charges against YouTuber Kim Se Eui, including the spread of false information.
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