Kim Soo-hyun to shoot ad campaign after controversy

South Korean actor Kim Soohyun is scheduled to resume public activities with an advertising shoot in the Philippines on July 14, his first official work commitment in over a year. The shoot for the Philippine fashion brand Bench will be his first public schedule since he stepped away from the spotlight amid a major controversy in early 2025.

The controversy centered on allegations, published by YouTuber Kim Seui, that the actor had an inappropriate relationship with the late actress Kim Saeron when she was a minor and that he pressured her over debts. Kim Soohyun and his agency, Gold Medalist, consistently denied the allegations, stating their relationship began only after she reached adulthood. The actor filed criminal and civil complaints against the YouTuber and others.

In May, South Korean police concluded their investigation, finding that key pieces of evidence, including KakaoTalk messages and an audio recording, had been manipulated or fabricated using artificial intelligence. Authorities subsequently arrested and referred Kim Seui to prosecutors on charges including defamation through false facts and violations of stalking and sexual crimes laws. In a statement, Gold...