Kim Soo-hyun to restart career with PH commercial shoot

One of South Korea's biggest stars is ready to go back into the limelight. Kim Soo-hyun will return from a year-long hiatus with a commercial shoot for a Philippine fashion brand , his first official activity since a controversy involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron made headlines and placed several of his projects on hold.

Soompi reported on June 8 that Kim Soo-hyun will be in a print ad shoot as his agency GOLDMEDALIST confirmed he is scheduled to shoot the ad in Korea on July 14.

The shoot marks the actor’s first public activity since March 2025, when claims about his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron surfaced, leading a year-long hiatus amid public scrutiny.

Kim Soo-hyun, 38, was accused of having a relationship with Sae-ron for six years starting in 2015, when she was just 15. He was also accused of pressuring her on paying back her debt. 

He denied the allegations, saying they only dated after she reached adulthood. According to The Korea Times, this issue led several brands to end endorsement deals, while his upcoming series has been shelved indefinitely.

He later filed criminal defamation complaints against Kim Se-eui, founder of YouTube channel Hover Lab, and Kim Sae-ron's family members, while seeking 12 billion won (₱487.5 million) in damages in a civil suit.

 In May, police said KakaoTalk messages and audio recordings released by Kim Se-eui’s side had been manipulated, including AI alteration of the late actress’ voice and fabricated chat records. Se-eui was later arrested and referred to prosecutors for spreading false information.

Despite the challenges of the past year, Kim Soo-Hyun remains one of South Korea's most recognizable actors. Over the years, he has built a successful career through hit dramas such as "Dream High," "The Moon Embracing the Sun," and "My Love From The Star," and most recently "Queen of Tears," one of the biggest K-drama hits of 2024.