South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun set for first public appearance since dating scandal

South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun is set to make his first official public appearance in his home country in roughly a year and a half when he attends The Fact Music Awards 2026 as a presenter on Sept. 19.

South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun

Organized by South Korean media outlet The Fact, this year’s ceremony will take place at Busan Asiad Main Stadium, following editions held in Osaka, Japan, in 2024 and Macau, China, in 2025.

The awards ceremony follows several recent overseas appearances by the actor. On Aug. 23, Kim appeared as a guest on Mahakarya RCTI 37, a live program marking the 37th anniversary of major Indonesian free-to-air broadcaster RCTI.

Earlier, on July 14, he filmed an advertisement for a Filipino fashion brand, marking his first professional engagement since March 2025.

Kim’s gradual return to public activities comes after South Korean police decided in July not to refer him for prosecution over allegations that he violated the Child Welfare Act, according to The Straits Times.

The controversy began in March 2025, when allegations emerged that Kim had been in a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron while she was still a minor.

At an emergency press conference on March 31, Kim denied having dated Kim Sae Ron before she reached adulthood, as well as claims involving pressure over debt. He said their relationship lasted for about a year and began in 2019, after she had become an adult.

Kim Sae Ron’s family later filed a criminal complaint against him in May 2025, accusing him of violating the Child Welfare Act. His legal team has consistently maintained that the relationship began only after she reached legal age.

Before the controversy, Kim was one of South Korea’s biggest television stars, known for hit dramas including "Dream High," "Moon Embracing the Sun," "My Love from the Star," "It’s Okay to Not Be Okay" and "Queen of Tears."

Kim Sae Ron rose to international prominence through films including "A Brand New Life" and became the youngest South Korean actress at the time to attend the Cannes Film Festival. Her career later suffered following a drunk-driving incident in 2022.

She died at age 24 on Feb. 16, 2025, with authorities finding no evidence of foul play, according to The Korea Times. Her funeral was held three days later.