Lee Seung-gi & Kim Soo-hyun Face Public Backlash Amid Controversies: Could Better Response Have Helped?

Actors Lee Seung-gi and Kim Soo-hyun have found themselves at the center of intense media scrutiny, both ranking among the most-searched celebrities in Korea on April 29 due to their respective controversies.

Lee Seung-gi

Lee Seung-gi issued a statement announcing a complete break from his in-laws, including actress Lee Da-in’s father, after it was revealed that his father-in-law, Mr. Lee, had been arrested for stock manipulation.

“I can no longer overlook these repeated unlawful acts. Trust within our family has been deeply damaged, and my wife and I have decided to sever ties with her family,” Lee Seung-gi stated.

The statement came after Mr. Lee was arrested for his involvement in manipulating stock prices of QuantaPia, a renewable energy company, to generate illicit profits. This followed a previously overturned acquittal in a separate case from 2014–2016 involving similar accusations.

Despite Lee Seung-gi’s declaration, public sentiment has been largely unforgiving, with many criticizing the timing of his response as “too little, too late.” Once seen as the model entertainer intelligent, scandal-free, and successful in music, acting, and variety shows Lee Seung-gi‘s public image took a hit after his marriage to Lee Da-in, whose family background raised concerns.

Previously, Lee Seung-gi had threatened legal action against media and fans commenting on his in-laws, further alienating some supporters. Now, with his father-in-law officially arrested, his attempt to distance himself from the scandal is viewed by many as reactive rather than proactive.

Kim Soo-hyun

Meanwhile, actor Kim Soo-hyun faces legal troubles of his own. According to YTN, two companies have filed lawsuits seeking 30 billion KRW in damages and model fees after cancelling advertising contracts with Kim Soo-hyun and his agency Gold Medalist.

The fallout began after the family of the late Kim Sae-ron alleged that Kim Soo-hyun had dated the actress while she was still a minor – a claim that prompted a wave of public and commercial backlash. While Kim’s team has denied wrongdoing, the controversy has resulted in his sudden disappearance from advertising campaigns with brands like Tous Les Jours, Shinhan Bank, Jo Malone London, and Prada.

Could Better Response Have Helped?

Though some fans maintain a neutral or sympathetic stance, both Lee Seung-gi and Kim Soo-hyun are facing mounting pressure not only from the media but also from advertisers and the broader public. In the entertainment world, where image is paramount, how a celebrity responds to crisis matters just as much as the issue itself.

If Lee Seung-gi had taken a more conciliatory tone rather than threatening legal action, or if Kim Soo-hyun had paid respects at Kim Sae-ron’s funeral even privately public perception might have softened.

As it stands, both stars are struggling to control narratives that have spiraled beyond their grasp, reinforcing the notion that when scandal strikes, delayed or defiant responses can cost dearly.