The Queen of Tears star performed at the Mahakarya RCTI 37 live show in Indonesia, marking one of his most prominent public appearances since the controversy surrounding his personal life and late Kim Sae Ron erupted.
South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun , who was among the highest-paid stars in the industry until last year, made his return to the public stage after more than a year.
Kim Soo Hyun performed Dreaming, the popular track from the soundtrack of the 2011 K-drama Dream High, which also featured him in one of the lead roles. The issue gained widespread attention in March 2025, when allegations surfaced claiming that the two had been romantically involved while Sae Ron was still a minor. He looked visibly nervous as he started the performance and missed a note briefly before settling in. Once he found his flow, he appeared more comfortable and finished the song with a smile. He also seemingly was trying to hold back his emotions. Soo Hyun’s return to the spotlight comes after more than a year of staying largely away from public appearances amid the controversy surrounding his alleged relationship with late actor Kim Sae Ron .
The actor later confirmed that he and Sae Ron had dated, but maintained that their relationship began only after she had become an adult. His agency initially rejected the claims. Her death brought renewed attention to her personal life and the claims surrounding her relationship with Soo Hyun. A month later, he addressed the controversy at an emotional press conference, firmly denying that he had dated her while she was underage. I never dated her when she was a minor. Except for the fact that both of us were actors, our relationship was just like that of any other ordinary couple. I will prove it. The past year has been a time spent solely to keep that promise. Separately, Soo Hyun also faced allegations of violating the Child Welfare Act. They alleged that he had been in a relationship with the late actor when she was still a minor, claiming the relationship dated back to her second year of middle school.
She, who began her acting career as a child and was known for films such as The Man from Nowhere, was found dead at her home in February 2025. Soo Hyun’s agency welcomed the development and recalled the actor’s statement from his 2025 press conference. However, on July 29, 2026, Seoul’s Seongdong Police Station decided not to refer the case to prosecutors, saying there was not enough evidence to proceed. The case began with a criminal complaint filed by Sae Ron’s family in May 2025.
He said, “I can’t admit to something I didn’t do. The agency said, “Kim Soo Hyun said at a press conference a year ago, ‘I will not ask you to believe me, according to The Korea Herald.
