Kim Soo-hyun is back
The last time I saw Korean superstar Kim Soo-hyun in person was in June 2022. It was for an interview for Bench, the well-loved Philippine lifestyle brand, which was introducing him as its brand ambassador. Back then, the world was emerging from the pandemic, but life had not returned to normal 100%. Yet Soo-hyun came to Manila anyway, gamely sitting down for one-on-one interviews, a press conference, and a hugely successful fan meeting that drew thousands of adoring fans.
I remember coming away from that interview convinced that he was one of my best interviewees. Thoughtful and articulate, he answered every question with a smile that felt genuine rather than rehearsed. When I asked him what makes him laugh and what makes him cry, he paused before replying, “I don’t need big things for me to be happy or sad.” Then, quoting a famous line from one of my favorite K-dramas, Goblin, he added, “The weather could be good, the weather could be bad…” What he meant, I think, was simple. Happiness and contentment comes from within. Whatever storms may be raging outside, he carries his own sunshine.
Four years later, Kim Soo-hyun is back, after a 16-month hiatus following a fabricated dating controversy. Many Filipino fans first embraced him not just as a Korean actor, but as a familiar face in their everyday lives. The star of My Love from the Star, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, and Queen of Tears has reunited with Bench as its lead Global Benchsetter, ushering in a new chapter in a partnership that began in 2021.
There is something fitting about the reunion. Bench has long had an instinct for choosing personalities who have enduring popularity. Kim Soo-hyun, with his charisma and quiet confidence, remains one of South Korea’s most recognizable stars. His return to the Philippine lifestyle brand feels less like a celebrity endorsement and more like the continuation of a friendship.
The beloved Korean star reunites with Bench which brought him to Manila in 2022 as its brand ambassador.
The new campaign showcases the actor in a range of Bench jackets, from classic checkered pieces and timeless denim to more contemporary varsity styles. The collection captures what Bench has always done well: creating clothes that are accessible, wearable and stylish without trying too hard. In the fashion photos, Kim Soo-hyun cut a handsome figure in a long-sleeved plaid jacket, then switches gears into a relaxed, youthful look with a layered hoodie, sporty jacket and shorts. He rounds out the collection in a classic denim jacket and jeans, reminding us that great style doesn’t always have to shout.
The collaboration of Bench and Kim Soo-hyun speaks to endurance. In an age when alliances are often as short-lived as social media trends, there is something refreshing about seeing a partnership stand the test of time.
Bench founder Ben Chan remembers their first meeting vividly.
“Bench and Kim Soo-hyun have been together since 2021. As one of the most recognizable actors in Korean entertainment and a global star, it was refreshing to meet him for the first time simply as a person—bonding with his team like old-time buddies, sharing a laugh at our Pinoy jokes, while carrying out his ambassadorial duties with professionalism during our campaign shoots and his packed fan meeting, surrounded by his Filipino fans.
“We met again last Tuesday, July 14, in what felt like a reunion. He fondly calls us family, while I think of him as same, making the occasion all the more memorable. He reminisced about trying sisig and finding the right word for another Filipino dish which he eventually blurts out as chicharon! This was over dinner that he graciously hosted for us, but the conversations were all about Philippine food and his dream destinations in our country.
“During the shoot, he gamely posed for photographs and videos, once again showing why he has been such a strong ambassador for our brand. In one of our first releases featuring jackets, he wore Bench from head to shoes, cutting a dashing figure and proving that a Philippine brand can stand confidently alongside the world’s most discerning personalities. More than anything, it was simply good to see him back in action—for Bench, and for himself—with the same warm smile.”
That warm smile is perhaps what people remember most about Kim Soo-hyun. Despite his superstar status, there has always been an ease about him, a sense that the man behind the accolades is still capable of delighting in simple things: good food, familiar company, reminiscing memories, and Pinoy jokes.
Perhaps that is why his answer from four years ago still lingers in my mind. Happiness, he seemed to suggest, is not dictated by the weather outside. It comes from somewhere deeper, steadier.
And as Kim Soo-hyun returns to Bench, one of his most solid partnerships in the Philippines, he appears to be carrying that same spirit with him: calm, gracious, and ready for whatever comes next.
