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    “Shame on you” – Fans call for boycott after reports of Kim Soo-hyun’s return with Bench campaign following controversy

    AdminBy No Comments5 Mins Read0 Views


    Reports that actor Kim Soo-hyun is preparing to resume public activities through a new campaign with Philippine fashion brand Bench have sparked mixed reactions online. According to report by The Korea Times published on June 8, 2026 Kim Soo-hyun is scheduled to star in a commercial shoot for the brand on July 14.

    The actor has been serving as a brand ambassador for Bench since 2024. This campaign is expected to be his first official schedule since he has suspended public activities following controversy surrounding the late actress Kim Sae-ron.

    The reported return came shortly after authorities concluded that key evidence submitted against the actor had been manipulated. An arrest warrant has also also issued against Kim Se-ui, who had been involved in raising the allegations.

    While some supporters welcomed the reports of Kim Soo-hyun’s return, others expressed disappointment over Bench’s continued partnership with the actor. Several posts called for a boycott of the company, while others said they would no longer purchase products from the brand if the campaign proceeds as planned. One social media user wrote,

    “WTF! Shame on you, @benchtm @BCbench! You’re enabling a pe*******, and sweeping accusations and ongoing procedures under the rug. Nakakahiya. Even foreigners are horrified with Filipinos for enabling Kim Soo Hyun..”

    WTF! Shame on you, @benchtm @BCbench! You’re enabling a pe*******, and sweeping accusations and ongoing procedures under the rug. Nakakahiya. Even foreigners are horrified with Filipinos for enabling Kim Soo Hyun.

    The news quickly spread across social media platforms, with some users tagging the brand and urging it to reconsider the collaboration. Several posts called for a boycott, with critics expressing strong disapproval while questioning the company’s choice of endorsers.

    @benchtm @BCbench You all need to start a major boycott campaign, cos your country has turned into a haven for disgusting Korean criminals. It was Jisoo the bully, Seungri the r**e gang leader, and now Kim soo hyun the pe*******. Who’s gonna be next?? A murd3rer?

    Damn it @benchtm. We already have so much trash in the Philippines and you’re still collecting more.

    what’s with philippines becoming the end destination for these criminal geezers?? first that bully jisoo, seungri and now this pe*******

    Somebody needs to frame him for tax evasion so we never have to see his face again.

    Some netizens criticized Bench online, claimed that the brand was engaging in image-rehabilitation campaigns for high-profile figures. Others also expressed frustration over the partnership, with some questioning the brand’s choices and event handling.

    interesting how some brands in the philippines always seem ready for image rehab campaigns as long as the name is big enough. yuck, eww, kadiri. boycott @benchtm!!

    lol @benchtm is entrenching the narrative in south korea that the philippines is a safe haven for korean criminals.

    Those products from Bench are so ugly, they suck at handling events too, and first and foremost, leading the career revival of that problematic actor??? Don’t you have anything better to do? Yuck, shame on you @benchtm

    From allegations to arrests: A look back at the Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron controversy

    The legal developments followed months of investigations into materials that had been circulated online in connection with allegations against Kim Soo-hyun. In May 2026, authorities announced that forensic investigations had found key evidence presented by Kim Se-ui and Garo Sero Research Institute had been manipulated.

    Police reportedly found that KakaoTalk messages presented by YouTuber Kim Se-ui’s Garo Sero Research Institute as exchanges between the actor and Kim Sae-ron had been manipulated. They also stated that the audio recordings attributed to Kim Sae-ron were generated using AI technology. Investigators also stated that the chat records did not involve Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron but had been edited from conversations involving other individuals.

    Kim Se-ui was detained on May 26 and later referred to prosecutors. The Seoul Central District Court subsequently issued an arrest warrant, citing concerns over evidence destruction and flight risk.

    Authorities recognized multiple alleged offenses against him, including defamation through false information, stalking-related violations, attempted coercion, and threats. However Kim Se-ui denied the allegations.

    The controversy began after Kim Sae-ron’s death on February 16, 2025. Her family through YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute aka Hover Lab alleged that she had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun since 2015, when she was a minor.

    They also claimed Gold Medalist sought repayment of 700 million KRW following her DUI case. Garo Sero Research Institute later released photos, videos, and messages it claimed supported the allegations.

    Kim Soo-hyun denied dating Kim Sae-ron while she was underage, stating their relationship began after she became an adult. He subsequently filed criminal complaints against Kim Se-ui and members of Kim Sae-ron‘s family, while also seeking 12 billion KRW in damages through a civil lawsuit.

    The controversy significantly affected the actor’s career, with several endorsement deals reportedly ending and Disney+’s Knock-Off facing an indefinite delay. Multiple companies also reportedly filed compensation claims exceeding 10 billion KRW.

    As of writing, neither Bench nor Kim Soo-hyun’s agency has publicly addressed the online criticism.