Amid the ongoing controversy involving Kim Sae-ron, Kim Soo-hyun’s past interactions with underage celebrities have resurfaced, leading to widespread criticism. Netizens have pointed out several instances where his behavior towards young stars has been considered inappropriate and alarming.
Park Eun-bin
A GIF from a 2010 event captures the moment when Kim Soo-hyun handed Park Eun-bin a doll before abruptly running away. At the time, Park Eun-bin was 18 years old, still considered a minor under Korean law, while Kim Soo-hyun, at 22, was already a legal adult. The gesture has since sparked debate among netizens, with some questioning the appropriateness of giving a doll to a young actress, viewing it as an unusual or oddly symbolic choice.
Son Yeon-jae
When Kim Soo-hyun was 23 years old, he publicly expressed his admiration for national rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae, who was only 16 at the time. During the early 2010s, Son Yeon-jae was one of South Korea’s most celebrated athletes, earning widespread recognition under the affectionate titles of “the nation’s little sister” and “the nation’s fairy” due to her talent and youthful charm.
Kim Soo-hyun openly admitted his admiration for her during an interview, making a direct statement that caught public attention: “I’m a fan of athlete Son. To Ms. Son Yeon-jae, let’s grab a meal together some time.” His remark sparked discussions among netizens, with some finding it unusual for an older celebrity to extend such an invitation to a minor.
Nam Ji-hyun
Kim Soo-hyun has also faced backlash for remarks about Nam Ji-hyun in a 2010 interview. At the time, he was 22, while she was only 15, the same age Kim Sae-ron was when his alleged relationship with her began. While discussing their work in “Will It Snow for Christmas?” and “Giant,” he jokingly remarked, “It felt so weird, like my younger brother had stolen my girl.”
He went on to say, “Ji-hyun is a real fox when it comes to acting. Even though she’s much younger than me, I learned a lot while filming ‘Will It Snow for Christmas?’ She understands everything, camera angles, how to deliver her lines, all of it. On the first day of filming with Ji-hyun in Sancheong, I couldn’t sleep because my stomach hurt so much. I was so jealous of how she was praised by the director and adored by the senior actors. I guess that’s why my eyes were burning with so much competitiveness.”
Kim Yoo-jung
During the filming of “The Moon That Embraces the Sun,” where he starred alongside Han Ga-in and child actress Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Soo-hyun made comments about the 13-year-old actress that have since been heavily criticized.
“I guess I previously thought of her as too much a baby. After seeing her in real life, I thought she was really confident and smart, and I didn’t feel like she was young. I can’t wait to see her mature, and I think I’ll be able to soon meet her as partners in a drama.”
In addition to his remarks, viral clips show Kim Soo-hyun hugging Kim Yoo-jung and placing a finger on her lips, further fueling criticism from netizens.
Kevin Woo
Kim Soo-hyun’s past comments about U-KISS member Kevin Woo have also resurfaced, adding to the ongoing discussion about his interactions with younger celebrities. In a video clip that has recently regained attention, Kevin shared a personal anecdote, mentioning that he once cried after looking in the mirror. In response, Kim Soo-hyun made a remark that some found unusual, saying, “But the way you talk is really cute.” The video’s subtitles even added an extra layer of context by displaying, “Soo-hyun… what’s wrong with you…” seemingly implying discomfort or confusion regarding his remark.
Another moment from the same clip has also raised eyebrows. At one point, Kim Soo-hyun commented on the experience of physical contact with Kevin, stating, “Touching Kevin feels good because he came from San Francisco.” This statement led to an immediate reaction from singer Han Seung-yeon, who was present in the conversation. Expressing her surprise, she responded, “What is this?” The subtitles then continued to emphasize the awkwardness of the moment, reading, “Soo-hyun… Kevin is still young…” highlighting the uncomfortable atmosphere created by the exchange.
As these past instances continue to resurface, public discussions surrounding Kim Soo-hyun’s behavior towards minors have intensified. Many netizens are now revisiting these moments with a more critical perspective, debating whether these remarks were simply offhand comments or indicative of a deeper pattern of behavior.