#SHOWBIZ: Kim Soo-hyun makes first TV appearance in over a year amid controversy

JAKARTA: South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has returned to television after a year-long absence, making his first on-air appearance on Aug 23. The 38-year-old took part in a live program, Mahakarya RCTI 37 , celebrating the 37th anniversary of Indonesian broadcaster RCTI. The occasion provided Kim with a platform to express gratitude to the audience before performing the 2011 hit song, "Dreaming," from the popular drama series "Dream High."

The actor's return to television occurred following a highly publicized controversy that began in March 2025. The controversy stemmed from allegations that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a relationship with deceased Korean actress Kim Sae-ron, who was only 24 when she passed away in February 2025. The allegations led Kim Sae-ron's family to file a criminal complaint against Kim Soo-hyun in May 2025, alleging that he had violated the Child Welfare Act by dating her underage.

Kim's representatives maintained that the pair had indeed dated but disputed the allegations regarding the relationship's initiation with Kim Sae-ron being underage. They also contested an audio recording released by her family, claiming it had been created using artificial intelligence. In July, South Korean police dismissed the allegations, deciding not to pursue prosecution against Kim Soo-hyun.

His professional activities resumed in July as well, with Kim appearing in a commercial for a Philippine fashion brand. However, his first official return to live television was the Mahakarya RCTI 37 event, marking a significant milestone in his career since the controversy began in March 2025.