Ji-soo Makes Waves with Philippine Appearances

Actor Ji-soo, who had largely vanished from the South Korean entertainment scene following school bullying allegations, has resurfaced in the Philippines, offering a glimpse into his current activities.

On the 6th, Ji-soo took to social media to share several snapshots from a brand event at a popular Philippine shopping mall.

The images show Ji-soo, sporting a denim jacket and white tee, warmly greeting local fans with a wave. He struck poses with fan-gifted merchandise and engaged with attendees, showcasing a noticeably sharper jawline and a fresh vibe.

Ji-soo's career hit a snag in March 2021 when bullying accusations surfaced while he was leading the KBS 2TV drama "River Where the Moon Rises." He admitted to some of the allegations, promptly exiting the show. The production swiftly recast with actor Na In-woo and reshot his scenes.

The fallout led to a protracted legal battle when the production company sued Ji-soo's former agency, KeyEast, for damages totaling roughly 30 billion KRW (22.5 million USD). The dispute concluded recently when KeyEast dropped its appeal, finalizing a court order to pay about 880 million KRW (660,000 USD) in compensation, capping a five-year legal saga.

With the legal hurdles cleared, Ji-soo's overseas appearance has sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans express relief, noting, "He looks more relaxed. It's good to see him doing well," and voicing support for his international endeavors. Critics, however, remain skeptical, questioning if he's cultivating a foreign fanbase to stage a comeback, given his limited options in Korea. They argue that despite the legal resolution, the stigma of the bullying controversy may prove challenging to overcome.