Kim Soo-hyun to resume work a year following Kim Sae-ron controversy: Report

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun is reportedly set to resume professional activities, with a commercial shoot scheduled for July 14. According to Korean media reports, the advertisement is for the Philippine outdoor fashion brand EIDER Philippines and will mark his first official work engagement in South Korea in nearly a year following the controversy linked to the late actress Kim Sae-ron.

Local media reported that Soo-hyun has been selected as a model for EIDER Philippines and is expected to participate in filming next month. Neither the actor nor his agency, Gold Medalist, has publicly commented on the reported schedule.

The actor largely withdrew from public activities after allegations emerged that he had been involved in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. The claims surfaced following the actress's death in February 2025 and quickly gained traction through online broadcasts and social media platforms.

Kim Soo-hyun and Gold Medalist consistently denied the allegations. They maintained that the actor and Kim Sae-ron had briefly dated several years ago, but only after she had reached adulthood. The agency also challenged the authenticity of photographs, messages and other materials circulated online as purported evidence.

The controversy soon escalated into a legal dispute. Kim Soo-hyun and Gold Medalist filed criminal complaints and civil lawsuits against individuals and organisations they accused of spreading false information and defaming the actor. The lawsuits reportedly sought damages worth billions of won.

Recent reports in Korean media stated that investigative authorities concluded that certain digital evidence submitted against the actor had been manipulated or fabricated. Police investigations into those allegedly responsible for distributing the materials are reportedly ongoing, while Kim Soo-hyun was cleared of the allegations.

The controversy had a significant impact on his career. Several endorsement contracts were suspended, public appearances were cancelled, and Disney+ delayed the release of his highly anticipated series Knock-Off, despite much of the production already having been completed.

If confirmed, the July 14 commercial shoot would represent Kim Soo-hyun's first known professional schedule in South Korea since the controversy erupted.

Kim Soo-hyun is internationally known for starring in hit dramas including My Love from the Star, It's Okay to Not Be Okay and Queen of Tears.