Kim Soo-hyun Made 3 Strange Demands in China, Banned an Actress from Getting Close?
Alongside the controversies surrounding the late actress Kim Sae Ron, past statements and behaviors of Kim Soo-hyun have resurfaced, sparking widespread discussion among the public. According to China Times on March 18, an individual claiming to be an insider in the Chinese entertainment industry accused Kim Soo-hyun of having a diva attitude, allegedly making life difficult for singer G.E.M. (Tang Tsz-kei).
Back in 2014, Kim Soo-hyun became a massive star in China following the success of “My Love from the Star”. He was invited to Shanghai to film a commercial alongside G.E.M. However, not long after his arrival, rumors began circulating on social media that Kim Soo-hyun and G.E.M. were seen holding hands and entering a hotel together. There were even claims that Kim Soo-hyun had fallen for G.E.M. and was planning to build a long-term career in China. These dating rumors led to a backlash, with G.E.M. facing harassment from Kim Soo-hyun’s fans, who accused her of spreading false news to “ride on his fame.” Many even signed petitions demanding that the brand remove G.E.M. from the advertising project with Kim Soo-hyun.
G.E.M. found herself caught in romance rumors with Kim Soo-hyun after their 2014 commercial collaboration. The controversy led to fans attacking the singer, accusing her of using Kim Soo-hyun’s name for publicity.
In response to the baseless rumors, G.E.M.’s team denied the allegations. Representatives of the “Hong Kong Pop Princess” stated that the two artists did not share a common language, had completely separate filming schedules, and had no interaction, making dating claims impossible. However, according to the anonymous post, even after G.E.M. refuted the romance rumors, Kim Soo-hyun was reportedly still displeased. The actor allegedly imposed three unusual demands that his team strictly enforced before continuing the project, two of which directly targeted G.E.M.
Kim Soo Hyun’s first demand was that he and G.E.M. not stay in the same hotel. The second was that G.E.M. was not allowed to come near him. The third was that he would not sign autographs or take photos with anyone. This behavior reportedly put G.E.M. in an extremely awkward situation, making even industry professionals believe she was trying to latch onto Kim Soo Hyun for attention.
Following Kim Soo Hyun’s extreme stance, G.E.M. issued a bold statement at the time, saying, “I don’t know who Kim Soo Hyun is. I’ve never watched ‘My Love from the Star’, and I only learned about his fame when the director mentioned it to me.”
The alleged demands made by Kim Soo Hyun during his collaboration with G.E.M. have reignited debates online, drawing criticism from netizens who believe his behavior was excessive. Many argue that G.E.M., with her talent and family background in music, never needed to exploit Kim Soo Hyun’s fame.
However, Chinese media pointed out that while G.E.M. had indeed denied dating rumors with Kim Soo Hyun twice in the past, the claims about the actor forbidding her from approaching him remain one-sided accusations from an anonymous source, with no verification. As such, the public is advised to be cautious, avoid making unfounded assumptions, and refrain from attacking Kim Soo Hyun without concrete evidence. Meanwhile, G.E.M. has remained silent, choosing not to comment on her past controversy with the Korean star.
G.E.M. remains silent as the details of her 2014 collaboration with Kim Soo Hyun resurface.
Born in 1991, G.E.M. comes from a musical family. She began writing lyrics and composing music in first grade and achieved Level 8 proficiency in piano, the highest grade in instrumental performance exams. Dubbed the “Hong Kong Pop Princess,” she gained fame at the age of 18, and her concerts have consistently sold out since her debut.