The long wait is finally over for Hallyu fans.
Philippine lifestyle and fashion giant BENCH has officially welcomed back one of its most beloved global ambassadors, South Korean superstar Kim Soo Hyun. In a series of heartwarming Instagram photos shared by Bench founder Ben Chan, the Queen of Tears actor was seen smiling brightly, holding a massive bouquet of flowers, and flashing a peace sign.
This marks Kim Soo Hyun’s first official public activity in over 16 months—signaling a fresh start after a devastating personal and professional hiatus.
The actor is seen radiant and smiling alongside Bench founder Ben Chan, holding a bouquet of flowers on the set of a brand-new commercial shoot.
Behind the Hiatus: A Devastating Controversy
Kim Soo Hyun’s sudden disappearance from the limelight in early 2025 shocked fans worldwide. His career was brought to a sudden halt following a storm of allegations regarding his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron, who tragically passed away in February 2025.
In the wake of her tragic passing, the controversial YouTube gossip channel GaroSero Research Institute (run by Kim Se-eui) launched a series of explosive claims. The channel alleged that Kim Soo Hyun had been in an inappropriate relationship with Kim Sae-ron starting in 2015 when she was still a minor.
Despite immediate and vehement denials from Kim Soo Hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist—who clarified that the two had briefly and consensually dated only after she reached adulthood (between 2019 and 2020)—the damage was swift. Major brands dropped the actor, and he faced severe public scrutiny, forcing him into a painful 16-month silence.
The Truth Prevails: Exposing the AI Fabrications
After a painstaking investigation, the truth has finally come to light, fully vindicating the actor:
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Manipulated Evidence: Seoul Gangnam Police concluded that the KakaoTalk screenshots and voice recordings presented as “proof” of an underage relationship were entirely fabricated.
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The AI Element: Forensic analysis revealed that the audio files of the late actress had been artificially manipulated using generative AI technology to defame the actor.
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Legal Justice: Kim Se-eui was arrested and detained on multiple charges, including criminal defamation, blackmail, and violating sexual violence laws.
With his honor restored, the legal cloud over Kim Soo Hyun has cleared, paving the way for his highly anticipated return to the entertainment industry.
Looking to the Future: What’s Next for Kim Soo Hyun?
With his visual as sharp as ever and a visibly lighter, more stable expression, fans are ecstatic to see Kim Soo Hyun back in front of the camera. The Bench commercial shoot is just the beginning.
Now that his name has been cleared, industry insiders are eagerly anticipating the resumption of his acting projects. Most notably, attention is once again focused on the highly anticipated Disney+ original series Knock-Off, which had its release postponed during the controversy.
Kim Soo Hyun’s resilience through one of the darkest chapters of his career has only proven the strength of his character and the unwavering loyalty of his global fanbase.
Welcome back, Kim Soo Hyun! The stage is yours once again.