If Only Kim Soo-hyun Handled It Like Baek Jong-won… Even Sulli’s Name Might Not Have Come Up

Actor Kim Soo-hyun is facing an escalating crisis. What began as allegations of a relationship with underage actress Kim Sae-ron has snowballed into a series of revelations, leading to the termination of advertising deals, postponed projects, and massive financial fallout.

Meanwhile, businessman and TV personality Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, has demonstrated a stark contrast in crisis management. Faced with allegations of mislabeling food origins, he immediately issued a public apology and outlined specific corrective measures. Baek Jong-won’s mature and seasoned approach to handling crises offers a valuable lesson for Kim Soo-hyun, who now finds himself in a serious downward spiral.

Recently, Baek Jong-won faced multiple controversies, including mislabeling food origins and violating agricultural land regulations. However, his response was swift and transparent. At The Born Korea’s first annual shareholder meeting on the 28th, Baek Jong-won bowed his head and admitted, “As a business leader, I deeply regret not managing things more thoroughly.” He not only acknowledged his mistakes but also proposed concrete improvement plans.

Baek Jong-won’s crisis management went beyond words. On the same day, he personally visited a wildfire-stricken area in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, and provided free meals to victims, demonstrating social responsibility through action. His willingness to help in times of crisis resonated with both consumers and shareholders, reinforcing his sincerity.

In contrast, Kim Soo-hyun has maintained silence regarding allegations of his underage relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, insisting only that “they dated after she became an adult.” However, evidence released by Kim Sae-ron’s family contradicts his claims, including text messages, letters, and videos. Despite mounting proof, Kim Soo-hyun has neither issued a direct explanation nor an apology, opting instead for silence.

The situation worsened further when the family of late singer-actress Sulli came forward with additional claims, dragging Kim Soo-hyun deeper into controversy. The consequences are already severe: Disney+ has indefinitely postponed the release of “Knock-Off,” MBC’s “Good Day” has removed his footage, his fan meeting in Taiwan was canceled, and several commercial contracts have been voided. Industry insiders estimate the potential financial loss could reach up to ₩2 trillion, including ₩200 billion in advertisement penalties and ₩1.8 trillion in production-related compensation.

At this point, Kim Soo-hyun would do well to learn from Baek Jong-won’s crisis response strategy.

First and foremost, acknowledging the problem and issuing a swift apology is crucial. When Baek Jong-won faced backlash, he immediately bowed his head and took responsibility. While mislabeling food origins is a serious offense, his willingness to admit fault and take corrective action demonstrated accountability—something Kim Soo-hyun should take note of. By initially denying the allegations, Kim Soo-hyun only fueled greater suspicion and distrust.

Additionally, Baek Jong-won backed up his words with action, showing genuine remorse through his charitable efforts at the wildfire site. Actions speak louder than words, and for Kim Soo-hyun, offering a heartfelt apology and taking responsibility in a tangible way could be the first step toward redemption.

Crises can strike anyone in the public eye. What defines a person is how they respond. Kim Soo-hyun’s current situation illustrates the devastating impact of poor crisis management and prolonged silence.

Public sentiment mirrors this dichotomy. Comments on Baek Jong-won include:

“It’s admirable how he admits his mistakes and strives to do better.”
“Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is sincere reflection.”

Meanwhile, reactions to Kim Soo-hyun are far harsher:

“If only he had acknowledged it early on and stepped back, things wouldn’t have spiraled.”
“His career in entertainment is over.”

If Kim Soo-hyun hopes to recover, he must come forward, acknowledge the truth, issue a sincere apology, and take concrete action. The longer he remains silent, the slimmer his chances of redemption become.