According to Korean media, the Seoul Police Department on July 29 decided not to prosecute the actor. After investigation, authorities concluded that the suspicion that "Kim Soo Hyun loved Kim Sae Ron when she was not yet 18 years old" was not true.
Accordingly, the police's conclusion created a major change in Kim Soo Hyun's position.
Previously, the actor could almost only defend himself with denial statements. The fact that he admitted to having loved Kim Sae Ron when she grew up was not enough to stop the wave of criticism, because the controversy focused on the suspicion that the relationship started when the actress was still young.
The investigation conclusion helped Kim Soo Hyun shift from a passive to a proactive position. He no longer simply denied it, but had the verification results of functional agencies as a basis.
This development is especially important for a star who depends heavily on image. When the scandal broke out in March 2025, many brands quickly removed images or terminated cooperation with Kim Soo Hyun. Many other famous brands successively took action to keep distance from the actor.
Disney+'s movie project "Knock-Off" was postponed indefinitely, and the schedule to meet fans was also canceled. From one of the highest commercial value Korean actors after the success of "Queen of Tears", Kim Soo Hyun fell into a state of freezing operations.
The new police conclusion may help producers and brands reduce risks when choosing him. In the entertainment industry, a cooperation decision is not only based on public opinion but also related to ethical terms, compensation responsibilities and the possibility of disputes arising. Not being proposed for prosecution gives Kim Soo Hyun an additional advantage in legal battles related to advertising contracts.
In fact, his comeback process began earlier. On July 14, Kim Soo Hyun participated in advertising shoots for the Philippine fashion brand Bench, marking his first official activity after about 1 year and 4 months. The fact that an international brand continues to accompany shows that his appeal in foreign markets has not disappeared.
However, regaining fame does not mean that all losses are eliminated. The scandal lasting more than a year has associated Kim Soo Hyun's name with negative keywords. A part of the public may continue to argue about the relationship between him and Kim Sae Ron even though the allegations related to his adolescence lack sufficient evidence.
The possibility of complete recovery depends on the outcome of the trial of Kim Se Ui (the person who spread the rumor that the male actor and Kim Sae Ron were dating), the reaction of Korean brands and the decision to release "Knock-Off". If subsequent lawsuits reinforce the conclusion that the information was fabricated, Kim Soo Hyun has the opportunity to reposition himself as a victim of fake news and evidence of AI interference.
The police's conclusion is therefore not the end point, but it is the most important turning point to help Kim Soo Hyun restore his reputation. The actor has a basis to return, and whether the public and the market accept him as before will take more time.
