Kim Soo Hyun’s TMA Comeback Sparks Heated Debate
Actor Kim Soo Hyun is officially set to make his long-awaited return to a major public event in South Korea, but the announcement has already been met with a noticeably divided response. On August 28, the organizing committee for the 2026 The Fact Music Awards (TMA) announced that Kim Soo Hyun will attend the ceremony as an award presenter on September 19 at Busan Asiad Main Stadium. This appearance will mark Kim Soo Hyun’s first major domestic public schedule in approximately a year and six months.
The Controversy That Led to His Hiatus
Kim Soo Hyun’s extended absence from public activities followed a press conference he held in March 2025 amid a major controversy involving late actress Kim Sae Ron. Allegations surfaced that he had dated Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor. While the actor acknowledged a past relationship, he maintained that it began after she had reached adulthood. The controversy led to significant professional fallout, including the indefinite postponement of his Disney+ series *Knock-Off*, affected advertising contracts, and a series of legal disputes.
Legal Victories Pave the Way for Return
However, the legal landscape surrounding the controversy has shifted dramatically in recent months. Investigations reportedly uncovered that a recording used to support allegations against Kim Soo Hyun was created using generative AI. Furthermore, purported KakaoTalk conversations involving Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were also determined to have been manipulated. Kim Se Ui, who initially publicized these allegations through the Garosero Research Institute, has since been detained and indicted on multiple charges. Kim Soo Hyun also received a non-referral decision due to insufficient evidence in a separate case, including allegations of Child Welfare Act violations. Adding to his legal wins, on August 27, a court dismissed Swiss watch brand Mido’s lawsuit seeking approximately ₩570 million KRW (about $413,000 USD) in returned advertising fees from his agency.
A Gradual Re-entry: From Overseas to Home
Buoyed by these significant legal developments, Kim Soo Hyun has gradually begun his return to public life. He recently made a special guest appearance at Indonesian broadcaster RCTI’s 37th-anniversary live special, where he delighted fans by performing “Dreaming” from his hit drama *Dream High*. He is also slated to hold a large-scale fan event in Manila in October.
The Korean Public’s Divided Response
Now, the focus of his return shifts back to Korea with the TMA. Despite the string of positive legal outcomes, Kim Soo Hyun’s upcoming TMA appearance has not been met with a universally warm reception domestically. Comments on the popular Korean community site TheQoo reveal that a segment of netizens remains strongly opposed to his return to major entertainment events. Many questioned the appropriateness of K-Pop artists receiving awards from him.
Hate it. Why do singers have to receive awards from him? B*llsh*t. He’s not gracing them with his presence, but rubbing dirt in their faces. Wow, crazy LOL. It’s also gross how there’s a few comments supporting him here and there. Thankfully, it seems like enough time has passed in Korea too. The comments highlight an important distinction between legal developments and public sentiment. For Kim Soo Hyun, the TMA night could effectively serve as the first major test of his domestic comeback. After successfully navigating overseas stages and securing favorable legal rulings, he will finally appear before the Korean public again. Judging by these early reactions, it’s clear that not everyone is ready to welcome him back just yet.
