Overseas fans call for Kim Soo-hyun’s removal from upcoming awards shows

Kim Soo-hyun’s upcoming appearances at two Korean entertainment awards shows have prompted some overseas K-pop fans to call for his removal, a month after police cleared him of allegations related to his past relationship with the late actor Kim Sae-ron.

The organizing committee of The Fact Music Awards announced Aug. 28 that Kim would attend this year’s ceremony at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on Sept. 19 as an award presenter. The Asia Artist Awards followed on Tuesday, announcing that the actor would attend this year’s event scheduled for Dec. 5-6 at Kaohsiung National Stadium in Taiwan.

The announcements drew opposition from some international K-pop fans, who took to social media to protest the actor’s participation in the events.

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“We stand with other fandoms in calling for Kim Soo-hyun to be removed from an award event surrounded by female artists and minor idols,” one overseas K-pop fan wrote.

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READ: Kim Soo-hyun makes first TV appearance in a year after dating controversies

Posts carrying the hashtag #KimSooHyunOutAAA have also appeared in response to the AAA announcement, along with images showing the actor’s face crossed out.

The reaction comes despite a police decision in July not to refer Kim Soo-hyun to prosecutors over allegations that he violated the Child Welfare Act by dating Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor, citing insufficient evidence.

The allegations surfaced in March 2025, when Kim Sae-ron’s family claimed through YouTube channel Hover Lab that the two had dated for six years, starting when she was 15. Her family filed a criminal complaint against Kim Soo-hyun in May.

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The actor acknowledged dating Kim Sae-ron but denied that their relationship began when she was a minor.

The online reaction has prompted opposing views, with some arguing that continuing to target the actor after the police decision is unfair and risks further damaging him despite the case having been closed.

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Organizers of both the Asia Artist Awards and The Fact Music Awards said there had been no change to Kim Soo-hyun’s scheduled appearances as of Thursday.

His agency, Gold Medalist, said it would look into the matter internally.