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

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has made his first on-air television appearance in over a year, following his 2025 hiatus.

Kim appeared as a special guest on the live broadcast Mahakarya RCTI 37, a special program celebrating the 37th anniversary of RCTI, held in Jakarta on Aug. 23. RCTI is one of Indonesia’s leading privately owned commercial free-to-air television networks.

During the event, Kim thanked the audience before performing Dreaming, a song from the South Korean hit drama Dream High (2011), in which he played Song Sam-dong, one of the main protagonists.

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Kim, 38, became embroiled in a controversy in March 2025, when claims emerged that he had been in a relationship with late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor. Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seoul in February 2025. She was 24.

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LOOK: Kim Soo-hyun officially returns following controversy

The allegations led to a criminal complaint filed by Kim Sae-ron’s family in May 2025, accusing Kim Soo-hyun of dating her while she was underage and violating the Child Welfare Act.

Kim Soo-hyun’s side acknowledged that the two had dated but denied that their relationship began while she was a minor, and disputed an audio recording released by her family as an artificial intelligence fabrication.

In July, South Korean police cleared Kim Soo-hyun of allegations that he violated the Child Welfare Act, deciding not to refer the case for prosecution.

Kim also filmed a commercial for a Philippine fashion brand on July 14, marking his first official activity since March 2025. /ra