Kim Soo-hyun makes official comeback via global ad campaign

Actor Kim Soo-hyun has reappeared before the public after a long hiatus. Having suspended all activities for approximately one year and four months following personal life controversies, he is drawing intense fan attention as he begins his official comeback through an overseas advertisement.

On the 2nd, Kim personally greeted fans in a video released via the official SNS of BENCH, a Philippine fashion brand for which he serves as a model.

The brand released a special video alongside a message announcing his return, stating, "Our beloved global BENCH Setter has returned."

In the video, Kim appeared with a bright expression. He opened with the words, "I missed you so much," before adding, "I am happy to greet you through BENCH after a long time. Please look forward to it."

What particularly caught the eye was his relaxed demeanor, a sharp contrast to the heavy atmosphere surrounding previous controversies. Kim maintained a smile throughout the video, and at the end, he closed his eyes to say "Thank you" before waving with a bright expression.

The video spread rapidly immediately after its release. On the day of its debut, views exceeded 110,000, with supportive comments from fans pouring in. For those who had waited a long time for his return, the short greeting held significance far beyond a simple promotional message.

This move is being interpreted as more than just a resumption of advertising; it is seen as the first step in his return to the entertainment industry. As he reappears after suspending all activities following the personal life controversies that surfaced last year, attention is now focused on whether he will resume domestic acting projects.

In March last year, Kim was embroiled in allegations related to the late Kim Sae-ron. At that time, the bereaved family and certain online channels claimed that Kim had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor, leading to significant public repercussions.

In response, Kim's representatives admitted to the relationship itself but strongly denied the allegations of dating during her minority. He has since been clarifying his position while engaging in legal battles with those who raised the allegations.

Recently, police decided not to transfer the case, ruling "no suspicion" regarding the charges of child welfare law violations and false accusation. Kim's legal representative stated, "He has been freed from the grooming allegations that most seriously constrained him. We hope that more people will look at him based on objectively confirmed facts."

However, the controversies surrounding Kim still face diverse perspectives from the public. A celebrity's return entails not only legal exoneration but also the challenging task of restoring public trust.

Nevertheless, Kim has broken his long silence and stood before the camera once again.

Attention is gathering on whether the actor, who built unrivaled stardom through dramas such as 'My Love from the Star' in 2014, 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' in 2020, and 'Queen of Tears' in 2024, can once again prove his worth.

Kim's return is just the beginning. Whether he can regain the public's favor through his future acting work has become the new point of interest.