Kim Soo-hyun Returns to the Spotlight After A 16-Month Hiatus Over False Allegations Involving Late Kim Sae-ron

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has officially returned to the public eye after a 16-month hiatus following the conclusion of police investigations into allegations involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron, who died by suicide in February 2025.

The actor's first official public activity since stepping away from the entertainment industry in March 2025 was filming a new commercial campaign, signalling the start of his gradual return after investigators found no evidence supporting allegations that he dated Kim Sae-ron while she was underage.

Kim Soo-hyun Returns to Spotlight

The 38-year-old actor recently resumed professional activities after his agency, Gold Medalist, confirmed he had returned to work following more than a year away from the public eye.

His first official public activity was filming a commercial, marking his return after more than a year away from the spotlight. Images from the shoot later surfaced on social media, marking his first public appearance since the controversy that halted his career.

The appearance marks the beginning of his gradual return to the entertainment industry, although no new acting projects have been officially announced.

The False Allegations

Kim stepped away from the entertainment industry earlier last year after allegations surfaced that he had dated Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor.

According to the claims, Kim Sae-ron was 15 while Kim was 28 when their relationship allegedly began.

However, the actor consistently denied the accusations, maintaining that their relationship started only after she had reached adulthood.

As previously reported, a subsequent police investigation found no evidence supporting the underage dating allegations and concluded that some of the materials circulated online had been manipulated.

According to investigators, YouTuber Kim Se-ui, operator of the Garosero Research Institute (HoverLab) channel, used altered KakaoTalk conversations and an AI-generated voice recording purported to be Kim Sae-ron to support the allegations.

According to the arrest warrant, Kim Se-ui 'played an audio file of the deceased's voice, which was fake and made by AI.'

'He then falsely claimed the deceased had been dating the accused since she was in middle school and that they had their first sexual encounter during her second year of middle school during the winter break,' the arrest warrant continued.

Police documents also said investigators believed the campaign was driven by financial gain, including YouTube revenue.

Gold Medalist welcomed the findings, saying authorities had uncovered the truth through objective evidence. The agency also said the allegations had caused significant reputational damage to the actor and affected both his professional and personal life.

The Legal Aftermath

Kim subsequently filed criminal complaints and civil lawsuits against Kim Se-ui, who has since been indicted and detained on charges including criminal defamation, intimidation and attempted coercion.

The Queen of Tears actor also faced a lawsuit from outdoor brand Eider following the controversy. However, during a court hearing earlier this month, the company significantly reduced its damages claim after the court recommended settlement discussions, a move widely viewed as another positive development in Kim's return to public life.

While no new acting projects have been officially announced, the commercial marks Kim Soo-hyun's first professional activity since the investigation concluded, signalling the start of his return to the entertainment industry.