[REVISION HISTORY]

Kim Soo-hyun resumes activities amid award show backlash

Updated 18 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-04 11:31 UTC → 2026-09-20 11:08 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following his clearance of child-welfare accusations on 29 July 2026, Kim Soo-hyun has resumed public activities after a 16-month hiatus. The Seoul Seongdong Police Station concluded its investigation, finding insufficient evidence that he violated the Child Welfare Act. Forensic analysis determined that the audio recordings used to claim he dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor were fabricated using artificial intelligence. In response to the findings, Kim’s legal team filed a defamation lawsuit against YouTuber Kim Se-ui, who has since been indicted and arrested for fabricating recordings and selectively editing chat logs. Kim’s professional comeback has been marked by international appearances, including a greeting video for the Philippine brand Bench and a performance at the Mahakarya RCTI 37 anniversary event in Jakarta, ~~Indonesia, where he performed ‘Dreaming.’ His agency, Goldmedalist,~~ Indonesia. While his return has ~~issued warnings regarding fraudulent individuals attempting to impersonate organizers~~ been met with excitement, significant public backlash and boycott movements have emerged on social media platforms like X, with critics calling for his ~~upcoming overseas fan meetings. His upcoming schedule includes a presenter role~~ removal from award ceremonies. On 19 September 2026, Kim made his first public appearance in South Korea since his hiatus at the ~~‘2026~~ 9th The Fact Music ~~Awards’ on 19 September~~ Awards in ~~Busan,~~ Busan. Appearing as a presenter in a black suit, he presented the ‘TMA Popularity Award’ to Lim Young-woong and expressed his passion for K-Pop. His upcoming schedule continues with a large-scale fan meeting in Manila on 2 ~~October,~~ October and attendance at the Asia Artist Awards (AAA) 2026 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on 5-6 December. While his return has been met with excitement, significant public backlash and boycott movements have emerged on social media platforms like X. Critics have called for his removal from these award ceremonies, with some suggesting his appearance is premature due to a lack of recent projects. Goldmedalist stated they are internally considering the matter, while ceremony organizers have not yet changed their lineups.

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