SEOUL — Actor Kim Soo-hyun stepped back into the South Korean spotlight on Sunday, marking his first domestic public appearance in over 17 months after a scandal involving allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor threatened to derail his career. The 37-year-old star, best known for the hit drama “Queen of Tears,” served as a presenter at the 2026 The Fact Music Awards (TMA) held at Busan Asiad Main Stadium.
Kim arrived onstage in a black suit, greeted by loud cheers from the audience. “I’m Kim Soo-hyun. It’s great to see you,” he said with a bright smile, though observers noted his face appeared slightly thinner than before. “Thank you very much for the invitation. Although I’m here as a presenter, I’m also a fan who loves K-pop,” he added before handing over the fan-voted popularity award to solo singer Lim Young-woong.
The appearance signals a measured return for the actor, whose reputation suffered a severe blow last year after online rumors alleged he had dated a then-minor actress Kim Sae-ron. The controversy forced him to halt domestic activities and led to a wave of public backlash. However, in a legal turning point, South Korean prosecutors later indicted YouTuber Kim Se-ui on charges of defamation and intimidation, effectively clearing the actor of the allegations that had tarnished his name.
In the months leading up to Sunday’s event, Kim tested the waters abroad. He filmed a commercial for a Philippine clothing brand and performed as a guest at an Indonesian television network’s anniversary show, gauging international fan reaction before committing to a full-fledged domestic comeback.
Sunday’s TMA ceremony featured performances from numerous K-pop acts, including boy groups RIIZE, ATEEZ, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, and girl groups ILLIT, KiiiKiii, and tripleS, drawing a packed crowd. The event was co-hosted by Girls’ Generation member Seohyun and comedian Jeon Hyun-moo. On the red carpet, RIIZE member Sungchan lifted his teammate Sohee, joking that he wanted to give him “a better view of Busan’s scenery.” ALPHA DRIVE ONE’s Jung Sang-hyun, celebrating his 19th birthday, said his wish was “to receive more love from fans.”
Multiple awards were handed out during the evening, with ATEEZ, Treasure, KiiiKiii, and NMIXX among those named Artist of the Year. ATEEZ also clinched the top honor of the night, the “Icon of the Year” award.
For Kim Soo-hyun, this appearance represents more than a professional milestone—it is a critical step in rebuilding trust with the South Korean public. While his overseas engagements proved his fanbase remains intact, the local market will be the ultimate test. Industry watchers will be watching closely to see if the actor can fully reclaim his standing in the competitive Korean entertainment landscape, where reputational damage often lingers long after legal vindication.
