Actor Kim Soo-hyun is set to make his first public appearance in South Korea since allegations involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron emerged in March 2025.
According to the Korean Times, Kim will appear as an award presenter at The Fact Music Awards in Busan on 19 September. Organisers have also confirmed his appearance.
The event will mark Kim’s return to the South Korean public spotlight after months away from domestic activities. The controversy began after claims emerged that he had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor. Sae-ron died by suicide at her home in February 2025. She was 24.
Conservative YouTuber Kim Se-ui first raised the allegations in March 2025 through his YouTube channel Hover Lab.
Kim later held a press conference. He acknowledged having dated Sae-ron but denied claims that their relationship began while she was a minor. He also filed defamation complaints against Kim Se-ui and Sae-ron’s family over the allegations.
South Korean police recently dropped an underage-dating charge raised by Sae-ron’s family, citing a lack of evidence.
Meanwhile, Kim has continued some professional activities outside South Korea. He recently appeared on a live television broadcast in Indonesia and plans to meet fans in the Philippines in October.
