Actor Won Bin has ignited fresh excitement among fans with his striking appearance in a new commercial, marking one of his few public on-screen roles since stepping away from acting more than a decade ago.
The commercial, released this week by premium homecare brand Ajeongdang, features Won in a dramatic, wizard-inspired concept.
Dressed in a retro black suit and sporting an old-timey coiffure, he makes an unspoken entrance, and one gentle but magnetic stare is all it takes to occupy the frame.
The ad, with its cinematic visuals and high production values, led viewers to wonder if they were watching a commercial at all or, instead, a teaser for a fantasy drama.
The performance quickly went viral across the internet, and a wave of nostalgic appreciation accompanied rumors of a possible comeback.
"Still so handsome," one user commented. Another added, "Won Bin's presence is even deeper now."
Comments also included playful pleas for his return to scripted content: "Please turn this ad into an 18-episode series!" and "Why won't he do a movie?"
Won, 47, has not appeared in a film or television drama since his acclaimed role in the 2010 action thriller The Man from Nowhere.
Despite remaining a beloved figure in South Korean entertainment, he has exclusively appeared in advertising campaigns over the past 15 years.
Debuting in 1997, Won built a reputation for selective and impactful roles in works such as Guns & Talks, Taegukgi, My Brother, and Mother, as well as the hit drama Autumn in My Heart.
Off-screen, Won married actress Lee Na-young in 2015, and the couple has a son.
In a 2023 interview promoting her drama One Day Off, Lee addressed the lingering questions about her husband's return to acting.
"He keeps asking me when I think he should come back," she said.
"He's reading scripts too. When he sees a great movie, he gets a little envious. I think he'll be back soon. Just a little more patience."
While there has been no official announcement regarding an acting project, fans continue to hope that this latest appearance marks the beginning of Won Bin's long-awaited return to the screen.
