Brand quietly pulls ads as Kim Seon-ho faces tax evasion allegations
Kim Seon-ho / Xportsnews
Actor Kim Seon-ho has found himself at the center of controversy as tax evasion allegations ripple into his commercial endorsements, with visible changes emerging from a fashion brand he represents.
On Tuesday, a teaser video featuring Kim that had been posted on BEANPOLE’s official social media account was switched to private. The video, once publicly accessible, now displays messages such as “Sorry, this page isn’t available” and “The link you followed may be broken or the page may have been removed,” even when accessed through previously shared links.
The teaser, which ran 17 seconds, was centered entirely on Kim and promoted the brand’s 2026 spring season. The full commercial had been scheduled for release on the same day, but it was never uploaded. Instead, the teaser itself was also taken down, fueling speculation.
Captured from BEANPOLE's social media
Changes were also noticed on YouTube. BEANPOLE adjusted the visibility of a teaser uploaded under the title “BEANPOLE 2026 SPRING – TEASER,” setting it to limited access. These moves have sparked online buzz, with many speculating that the brand’s actions are linked to the growing allegations surrounding Kim.
The timing has drawn particular attention because the brand had worked closely with Kim. Last year, BEANPOLE filmed a collaborative pictorial with the actor, and even after the release of his Netflix series “Can This Love Be Translated?” the company continued to post images of him on its social media channels.
Kim is currently accused of operating a family-run corporation to avoid taxes, an allegation that has quickly spread across online communities and social platforms.
His agency Fantagio denied the claims, saying, “Kim Seon-ho is currently working under an exclusive contract signed in his own name and with the agency, and both legal and tax procedures are being faithfully followed.”
The agency added, “When he transferred to his current agency about a year ago, the corporation in question had already ceased actual business activities, and it is now in the process of being closed,” drawing a clear line against the allegations.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.