Even Suzy Was Deceived by Kim Soo-hyun, Shattering Her Image in Just One Bizarre Second in “Real”
Naver reports that the scandal surrounding actor Kim Soo-hyun is spiraling out of control. On March 28, the late actress Sulli’s brother publicly demanded an explanation from Kim Soo-hyun regarding the unreasonable requests made during Sulli’s involvement in “Real”—a film that ultimately damaged her career.
However, Sulli wasn’t the only victim. Another beloved star, Suzy, was also misled into joining the project, only to face a bitter outcome.
Suzy Endured 6 Hours of Tattoos for Just 1 Second Onscreen
In “Real,” Suzy made a surprise cameo, shocking audiences with her dramatically altered appearance—long loose hair, revealing clothing, tattoos covering her body, and a cigarette in hand. It was a stark contrast to her “Nation’s First Love” image.
According to the film crew, Suzy spent six hours getting temporary tattoos applied, in addition to training for a role vastly different from her usual self. Yet, after all that effort, her screen time was reduced to a mere second—an insignificant moment that served no real purpose in the film.
Suzy and Kim Soo-hyun first worked together on “Dream High” (2011), and when Kim Soo-hyun invited her to appear in “Real,” she agreed without hesitation. However, he reportedly failed to inform her about the extensive tattoos she would have to wear on her body and face. After filming, Suzy confronted him, saying, “You never told me this was part of the scene.”
Kim Soo-hyun Accused of Exploiting Female Celebrities to Sexualize Their Bodies
Viewers have since criticized Kim Soo-hyun for bringing Suzy into the project without full disclosure, arguing that forcing a female star to alter her appearance for mere shock value was exploitative.
Real — A Failed Vanity Project?
“Real” follows Jang Tae-young (Kim Soo-hyun), an ambitious and ruthless man involved in the criminal underworld, who plans to build a casino hotel to gain control over the city. However, when a journalist starts digging into his secrets, his world begins to unravel.
Released in 2017, “Real” was widely regarded as a failed vanity project by Kim Soo-hyun and his cousin, director Lee Sa-rang. Beyond being criticized for its lack of quality, the film was slammed for its sexualization of female characters, featuring excessive nudity, gambling, and violence.
Lee Sa-rang and Kim Soo-hyun even promoted “Real” as featuring “Sulli’s real nude scenes,” which led to severe backlash against the late actress. Sulli’s family later revealed that after filming “Real,” she suffered extreme emotional distress, telling those around her, “I will never act in a movie again,” and ultimately sought psychological treatment.
