
At the moment, Kim Soo-hyun is the hottest keyword in Asia due to a series of unverified claims surrounding his alleged romantic scandal with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. Speculation about them dating when Kim Sae-ron was just 15 has also led to past controversial remarks made by Kim Soo-hyun being brought back into the spotlight.

One of Kim Soo Hyun’s most shocking past remarks that is currently going viral involves the late artist Sulli, his co-star in the 18+ film “Real.”
Table of contents
Sulli’s Lead Role in “Real”
In 2017, Sulli starred in the film “Real” alongside actor Kim Soo-hyun. The project had a production budget of up to $11 million. Before its release, the film attracted significant attention and curiosity, particularly due to teasers about Sulli’s intimate scenes.

“Real” follows the story of Jang Tae-young (played by Kim Soo-hyun), a cold and ambitious man working for the underground world. Obsessed with money, he plans to build a casino hotel to control the entire city. However, his plans begin to unravel when a reporter starts following him. Sulli played Song Yoo-hwa, a physical therapist. The film was rated 19+ due to its violent and intimate scenes between the main characters.
“Real” Controversy
“Real” faced a major scandal within 12 hours of its premiere. An explicit topless scene of Sulli, along with her steamy bed scenes with Kim Soo-hyun, was leaked online. Nude photos of Sulli spread across websites and various media platforms. The controversy tarnished both Sulli’s image and the film’s reputation. While some were shocked, many expressed disappointment, lamenting the loss of Sulli’s previously beloved innocent and sweet image.

Sulli acknowledged that accepting the bold scenes was a tough decision, but she saw it as a necessary challenge for her growth as an actress. She admitted feeling nervous yet drawn to the script. The production team praised her dedication, emphasizing that while most actors would opt for a body double, Sulli insisted on performing every scene herself, even the most provocative ones.
“Real” received harsh criticism in Korea for being flashy but shallow. Sulli’s 19+ scenes were seen as unnecessary, with her character adding little to the story. Some even called it the worst Korean film ever. It scored a low 4.85/10 on Naver, with suspicions of fake votes suggesting an even worse actual reception.
Kim Soo-hyun on Filming Intimate Scenes
As reported by KoreaBoo, actor Kim Soo-hyun spoke in an interview about his experience filming the widely discussed bed scene with Sulli. “Because nudity was involved, there were many things we had to focus on. When we started filming, both Sulli and I tensed our stomachs too much, trying to make them look flatter, which made it difficult to deliver our lines. We held our breath, and as a result, our voices sounded like mosquitos, causing many bloopers,” he revealed.

When asked why he chose to star in such an explicit movie, Kim Soo-hyun admitted, “It was really burdensome, but at the same time, I had an overwhelming desire to take on the role. The film has a high level of mature content, but I couldn’t imagine any other actor playing Jang Tae-young. My desire to prove I could pull off the character was strong.”
Kim Soo-hyun Disrespectful Remarks Toward Sulli
During a press event for “Real” promotion, when a reporter asked Sulli a question, she barely started speaking before Kim Soo-hyun cut her off, saying, “Speak normally.” His comment suggested she was talking nonsense. At the time, Sulli was already under heavy public scrutiny for her social media posts, and his public correction only intensified the backlash against her.

Now, as this remark gains attention again, netizens are criticizing Kim Soo-hyun’s behavior, noting that this was not an isolated incident. Many believe his past inappropriate remarks were overlooked due to his popularity.
Online reactions include:
- His emotional intelligence is at rock bottom.
- So rude. He should apologize to Sulli.
- Poor Sulli. This film only worsened her struggles.
- If you have nothing nice to say, just keep quiet.
- He’s the one who needs to ‘speak normally’—what did she do wrong?
As backlash grows, more people are questioning Kim Soo-hyun’s past remarks and overall conduct in the industry.