Kim Soo-hyun's Activities Suspended Amid Controversy

Actor Kim Soo-hyun is facing significant challenges in his career following allegations regarding his past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor at the time. The airing of the variety show Good Day has been halted, and the release of the drama Knock Off has been indefinitely postponed.

The family of Kim Sae-ron claimed through the YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Research Institute' that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with her since her third year of middle school, spanning over six years. They alleged that Goldmedalist, the agency founded by Kim Soo-hyun, pressured Kim Sae-ron with a legal notice demanding 700 million KRW in damages, suggesting that he neglected his responsibilities as her former partner.

In response, Kim Soo-hyun's representatives have denied all allegations. They confirmed that he did date Kim Sae-ron, but clarified that their relationship began in the summer of 2019, after she had turned 18, and continued until the fall of 2020. They emphasized that the legal notice sent to Kim Sae-ron was part of a legal process related to her DUI incident and was not a demand for payment.

Despite these clarifications, Kim Soo-hyun's private photos have been leaked, leading to a negative public sentiment. As a result, the variety show Good Day, which he was a regular on, has faced editing and cancellation issues. Consequently, Kim Soo-hyun has effectively paused all his activities, with several brands he endorsed ending their contracts, leading to speculation that he has been 'dropped' by them.

Additionally, on March 21, a representative from Disney+ announced that they have decided to postpone the release of Knock Off after careful consideration, interpreting this as a response to the backlash stemming from Kim Soo-hyun's personal controversies. Originally set to premiere in April as a sequel to the Disney+ original Hyperknife, the project’s release has now been indefinitely delayed.

In a separate development, Kim Soo-hyun is scheduled to make his first public appearance since the controversy at a fan meeting in Taiwan. According to local media ET Today, he will participate in the 'Kaohsiung Cherry Blossom Festival' organized by a convenience store on March 30.

To ensure safety and order at the event, approximately 50 police officers will be deployed. However, the police clarified that this deployment is not specifically for Kim Soo-hyun, and the event organizers have not made any additional requests. They plan to have police on standby to maintain security and respond to any emergencies.

Despite the ongoing controversy, there is significant interest in whether the fan meeting will proceed smoothly. The organizers have stated that since the tickets were won for free, attendees cannot request discounts, transfers, resales, exchanges, or refunds if the schedule changes or the event is canceled.