Kim Soo-hyun returns to work after 16-month hiatus, appears in good spirits for ad shoot

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has officially returned to work, marking the end of a 16-month period of inactivity. The hiatus followed his involvement in a controversy surrounding alleged dating rumors with actress Kim Sae-ron, which led to a tearful press conference where he denied the relationship while she was reportedly underage.

The situation took a significant turn last month when the head of the YouTube channel "橫豎研究所" (Heng Shu Institute), who initially made the allegations, was detained for fabricating evidence. This development has helped clear Kim Soo-hyun's name from the accusations that had tarnished his reputation.

Kim recently participated in a photoshoot for a Filipino clothing brand, and behind-the-scenes photos released by the brand show him smiling brightly and appearing in excellent spirits. This marks a visible return to public life and professional activities.

Furthermore, an outdoor brand that had filed a defamation lawsuit against Kim Soo-hyun for 2.5 billion Korean won (approximately 54 million NT dollars) has reduced its claim to 400 million Korean won (approximately 8.64 million NT dollars). The judge acknowledged that both the brand and Kim Soo-hyun, along with his agency GOLDMEDALIST, suffered damages due to the false information. The court suggested that both parties abandon their claims and withdraw the lawsuits, maintaining the original endorsement contract and having each party bear their own legal costs.