Kim Soo-hyun Compared to G-Dragon, Lee Jin-wook, and Park Yoochun? Why His Tears Backfire

Kim Soo-hyun’s recent press conference failed to resonate with the public, drawing more skepticism than sympathy. Instead of offering clear answers to serious questions, the actor chose to appeal emotionally, crying over the hardships of being a star. His behavior sobbing while flipping through a prepared script struck many as inauthentic and overly theatrical.

This wasn’t just an emotional backlash. The public has already been through multiple celebrity press conferences and has learned to distinguish between truth and performance. As a result, comparisons are being drawn between Kim Soo-hyun’s press conference and those of G-Dragon, Lee Jin-wook, and Park Yoochun.

G-Dragon’s Composure: Even Joked with Reporters

In November 2023, G-Dragon was investigated without detention on suspicion of violating South Korea’s Narcotics Control Act. Based on a club manager’s testimony, police suspected he had used drugs at a nightclub in December 2022. However, the testimony later changed the manager admitted he had never seen GD actually use drugs.

From the beginning, G-Dragon strongly denied the allegations. He underwent multiple drug tests, including hair, urine, and nail analysis by the National Forensic Service all returned negative. Despite a lack of evidence, police insisted on continuing the investigation.

Even so, GD faced significant reputational damage. Given YG Entertainment’s history of drug-related scandals, many doubted his innocence. Past footage of his eccentric behavior was even used to speculate about drug side effects.

But GD voluntarily appeared before police, which shifted public opinion. When asked about the investigation, he calmly joked around and added, “No one really knew what was going on. I hope the authorities release the results accurately and quickly”.

His confidence and calm demeanor won over the public, and after 50 days of investigation, police concluded there was no evidence of wrongdoing.

Lee Jin-wook Silences Critics with Steady Gaze

Actor Lee Jin-wook, accused of sexual assault in 2016, also chose calm, factual communication over emotional appeals. In particular, when he arrived at the police station as a suspect, he told reporters, “I think it’s too easy for people to make false accusations just because someone is a public figure”, adding that “false accusations are a serious crime” and even smiled while making his point.

Though the public initially condemned him, the actor’s firm eye contact and confidence shifted public sentiment. Calls for fairness arose, and “false accusation” even trended on real-time search rankings. Ultimately, the woman who accused him was convicted of false reporting and received a suspended 8-month prison sentence.

Park Yoochun’s Tears End in Disgrace

In 2019, Park Yoochun was implicated in drug use during his ex-girlfriend Hwang Hana’s police questioning. In a sudden press conference, he tearfully denied all accusations, claiming he had never used or offered drugs. Despite crying, he read from a prepared script, saying, “If these allegations are true, it’s not just my career that ends it’s my entire life being denied.”

He then voluntarily offered to undergo testing and turned himself in for police investigation. However, while initial tests came back negative, methamphetamine was later detected in a leg hair sample. His claims unraveled, and he retired in disgrace, serving as a warning that tears alone do not equal truth.

Kim Soo-hyun Resembles Park Yoochun?

Kim Soo-hyun’s conference had eerie similarities to that of Park Yoochun. He also focused on reading from a prepared script, more concerned with turning pages than wiping away tears. He emphasized the conflict between “Star Kim Soo-hyun” and “Human Kim Soo-hyun”, and claimed that lying was unavoidable because a downfall would hurt the people around him.

But what people really wanted to know wasn’t his emotional conflict. They want answers to the details related to his alleged relationship with Kim Sae-ron. However, instead of answering these, Kim cried over his personal hardships without a single apology to the deceased, leaving many with the impression he was acting.

In the past, emotional appeals might have drawn sympathy. But today’s audience is media-savvy and skeptical. They no longer trust in tears. The public now expects clear, honest answers using precise language, not dramatics.