Actor Ji Soo Resurfaces on Filipino Action Drama Set After School Bullying Scandal

Actor Ji Soo, who stepped away from the Korean entertainment industry following school bullying allegations, has surfaced with a look at his new acting life abroad. The actor is currently working in the Philippines, where he has taken on a role in a local action series.

On Oct. 14, Ji Soo posted several photos to his social media with a caption that read, "On set as 'Dong-hyun,' and off set with family. Lovely September days."

The images show him at what appears to be a filming location. For the role, Ji Soo is styled with a prominent scar and a beard, marking a striking change from his earlier on-screen look. He is reported to be appearing in the action drama series "Taskforce Firewall," part of his ongoing work in the Philippines.

In 2021, Ji Soo was cast as the male lead On-dal in the KBS 2TV drama "River Where the Moon Rises." Partway through the run, he became the subject of school bullying allegations. As the accusations spread, he released a handwritten apology acknowledging past wrongdoing and exited the drama before it wrapped. He then ended his exclusive contract with his agency at the time, Keyeast, and halted his activities in South Korea.

His departure forced the production company to reshoot scenes, and the studio filed a damages lawsuit against Keyeast. Last month, a ruling ordering Keyeast to pay the production company 880 million won in damages was finalized after the appeal to the Supreme Court was withdrawn. With his domestic career on pause, Ji Soo is now continuing to act overseas, with the Philippines serving as his current base.