Kim Soo-hyun returns after 16-month hiatus with BENCH ad shoot

Kim Soo-hyun was back on set July 14. He filmed an advertisement video and photo shoot for Philippine fashion brand BENCH in South Korea—his first official schedule in approximately 1 year and 4 months. Gold Medalist confirmed the shoot was underway. BENCH has had him as a model since 2024.

The hiatus dates to March 2025, when suspicions surfaced about a past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron. Kim Soo-hyun and Gold Medalist denied the core allegation, stating the two met after Kim Sae-ron had become an adult. YouTuber Kim Se-ui of the channel Garo Sero Research Institute amplified the claims. Kim Soo-hyun sued him for defamation. Investigators found that audio files and mobile messenger conversation screenshots Kim Se-ui presented were fabricated. He is now indicted on charges including defamation by false statements, violation of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, intimidation, and attempted coercion. He is currently held at Seoul Detention Center, with his first trial set for August.

Outdoor brand AIDER filed a roughly 2.5 billion won damages suit against Kim Soo-hyun and Gold Medalist last year over alleged brand image damage. At the second hearing on July 8, the court recommended settlement. AIDER cut its claim from approximately 2.5 billion won to approximately 400 million won—narrowing the suit to recovery of remaining model fees under the original contract rather than broader damages.

Next up for Kim Soo-hyun is Knock Off, a Disney+ original series currently in preparation.