Will Kim Soo-hyun Attend Taiwan Fan Meeting Amidst Controversy?
Amid ongoing criticism over allegations of a past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, actor Kim Soo-hyun’s scheduled appearance at a fan meeting in Taiwan on March 30 remains uncertain.
On the 19th (local time), Taiwanese media outlet ETtoday reported that Kim’s attendance at the upcoming cherry blossom festival event in Kaohsiung, organized by 7-Eleven, is in jeopardy. Initially, 7-Eleven had planned to host a Q&A session and fan meeting with Kim Soo-hyun, their brand ambassador. Limited-edition products featuring his image, including fresh food packaging, coffee cups, and cup sleeves, were also set for release. A total of 200 lucky fans had already been selected to attend the fan meeting.
The event lineup includes top celebrities from Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong, with Kim Soo-hyun expected to perform a 40-minute stage session on the festival's final day, March 30. However, a local brand representative stated, "As of now, the event is proceeding as planned according to our contract, but we will respond accordingly if any changes arise while considering consumer interests."
Reports indicate that a contract breach could result in a penalty of approximately 30 million New Taiwan Dollars (around 1.32 billion KRW). Kim Soo-hyun’s public image has suffered following claims from Kim Sae-ron’s family that the two were in a relationship for six years, beginning in 2015 when she was still a minor.
The actor, who has been a major figure in the Hallyu wave, is now facing backlash from international fans, particularly in Chinese-speaking regions, due to allegations of grooming. Taiwanese media speculate that his chances of attending the festival are low.
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has denied the allegations, stating that he only dated Kim Sae-ron between the summer of 2019 and the fall of 2020, when she was an adult. However, as the controversy continues, brands that previously endorsed him have begun distancing themselves.
Opinion: While it hasn't been definitively proven that Kim Soo-hyun dated Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, if true, it could lead to serious issues. Not only is the age gap of 12 years concerning, but the fact that the relationship allegedly began while Kim Sae-ron was underage has sparked significant controversy in South Korea.
