South Korean actor Kim Seon Ho's star is gradually on the rise again after a controversial 2021 that saw his burgeoning career put on hold. Despite his comeback on our screens with a range of programs, public opinion is still divided on whether he has managed to bounce back.

Kim, who is best known for his leading roles in the dramas "Start-Up" and "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha," was caught in a scandal in 2021 when an ex-girlfriend posted that he had gaslighted her and forced her to have an abortion.

The actor has since admitted to the claims and apologized in a statement. The fallout from these incidents saw him drop off the radar and cancel various projects.

In 2023, Kim returned to film in The Childe, and in 2024, he was cast in the upcoming Netflix K-drama Can This Love Be Translated?, co-starring Go Youn Jung.

He made his first small-screen comeback, however, with the 2025 series When Life Gives You Tangerines.

The debate has come back in the spotlight recently on the popular Korean online community Instiz, in spite of Kim's bulging post-scandal resume.

The viral post's creator called on the internet to share their thoughts on how the actor is viewed now, and ignited a flood of reactions.

"He's handsome and good at acting. But it's a shame that he has that scandal," one user commented.

"I only knew this person had some kind of controversy, nothing detailed. But then I just casually commented something like, 'Didn't he have a controversy?' under a post like this — and boom, got 18,761 replies attacking me. That's when they became totally unlikable to me," another wrote.

Some users expressed hesitation about seeing Kim work alongside certain actors.

"I would rather if he doesn't work with any actor that I'm a fan of," one user wrote. Another added,

"I hope he doesn't work with any female actor I like."

Others, however, focused on his performance.

"He's handsome and a good actor. I started liking him after seeing The Childe. I'm not a fan or anything. I just think he is a likable actor."

Kim's management has not commented on the recent online discussion.

While some fans view his return as a sign of redemption, others argue that the severity of the past allegations continues to cast a shadow.

With several projects lined up and continued visibility, Kim Seon-ho's journey appears far from over, and so does the public debate surrounding him.