Kim Soo-hyun Faces Global Backlash: Brands Cut Ties, Social Media Attacks Escalate, Promotional Materials Removed
Kim Soo-hyun is currently facing severe international backlash following allegations regarding his past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron. This controversy has led to demands for his removal from entertainment projects, social media attacks on his colleagues, and even the destruction of his promotional materials in various countries.
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Social Media Uproar and Cast Fallout
Kim Soo-hyun’s involvement in the MBC variety show “Good Day” has become a focal point of controversy. International viewers have inundated cast members’ social media accounts, pressuring them to cut ties with the actor and calling on the production team to promptly remove him from the show to prevent any negative impact on the rest of the cast.
As of March 18, a “Good Day” promotional post by G-Dragon has garnered approximately 13,000 comments, most of which call for Kim Soo-hyun’s removal. The production team officially addressed the issue on March 17, apologizing for the concerns raised and announcing that Kim Soo-hyun’s appearances would be minimized in post-production.
However, the backlash has extended beyond the production team. Cast members Jung Hae-in and Im Si-wan, who still follow Kim Soo-hyun on social media, have been bombarded with comments demanding they unfollow him. Meanwhile, fellow cast members G-Dragon, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Hwang Kwang-hee have either significantly reduced or cleared their follow lists.
Adding to the controversy, reports surfaced that cast member Jo Sae-ho had unfollowed Kim Soo-hyun on March 12, though it was later revealed that he had never followed him in the first place.
Brands Terminate Partnership Contracts
Several brands, including cosmetics company Dinto, luxury fashion house Prada, Homeplus, Tous Le Jour, have terminated their contracts with Kim Soo-hyun.
Furthermore, CJ Foodville, which had Kim Soo-hyun as the face of Tous Les Jours, chose not to extend his contract. Meanwhile, Eider, Shabu All Day, and Homeplus have taken down all promotional materials featuring him from their official platforms.
Removal of Promotional Materials and Worsening International Response
In response to the scandal, Kim Soo-hyun’s promotional materials have been removed in multiple countries, particularly in China and Thailand. On March 12, numerous social media users across Asia have condemned Kim Soo-hyun, with some calling for an official apology or even his retirement.
Images and videos have surfaced online, showing Kim Soo-hyun’s posters being taken down. In one widely shared video, a hospital staff member in Thailand is seen removing a life-size standee of Kim Soo-hyun, referring to it as “garbage collection.” Other images depict his advertisements being defaced or discarded near trash bins.
Drastic Loss of Followers
The backlash has significantly impacted Kim Soo-hyun’s social media presence. In just a short period, he has reportedly lost over 910,000 followers. While Chinese fans are largely absent from Instagram due to platform restrictions, the international fan response has been overwhelming.
As the scandal continues to unfold, Kim Soo-hyun’s future in the entertainment industry remains uncertain. With mounting pressure from fans and industry stakeholders, it remains to be seen how the actor will navigate this crisis.