Kim Soo-hyun made his first official public appearance in over a year at RCTI’s 37th anniversary event in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Queen of Tears actor stepped back into the spotlight on August 23, 2026, after staying away from major public schedules for 17 months.
The Korean actor appeared as a special guest on “Mahakarya RCTI 37,” a live broadcast celebrating the 37th anniversary of RCTI, Indonesia’s largest private television network. Thousands of fans gathered at the MNC Studios in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, to welcome him. The event marked his return to the entertainment industry following allegations linked to the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
Emotional Welcome from Indonesian Fans
When Kim Soo-hyun arrived at the venue around 7:23 PM local time, the crowd erupted with cheers and applause. The actor stepped out of his car wearing a casual blue checked jacket, denim jeans, and sneakers. He responded to fans with a bright smile, continuously waving and making heart shapes with his hands.
Some fans became so emotional that they were seen crying when they finally saw Kim Soo-hyun in person. One fan wrote on social media:
“I’ve felt so many emotions watching his arrival, but this one hit me differently. After such a long time, seeing Soohyun speaking in front of cameras and reporters again… ahh, my heart is so weak for this.”
Another supporter shared:
“Thank you for staying strong and making it through such a difficult time, Soo-hyun. You can’t stop people from hating you or judging you based on their own perceptions, but I hope you’ll take in only the positive energy and all the love surrounding you.”
Before the live broadcast began, Kim Soo-hyun went above and beyond to connect with his fans. While preparing for the interview inside the lobby, he stepped outside again to greet the waiting crowd, causing another round of cheers.
Performing “Dreaming” After 15 Years
During the main event, Kim Soo-hyun changed into a white suit paired with black trousers. He performed “Dreaming,” the soundtrack from the 2011 Korean drama Dream High in which he played Song Sam-dong. The actor delivered a live rendition of the song, thrilling the audience. This marked the first time in about 15 years that he performed this song publicly.
RCTI shared a video of his performance on social media with the caption:
“Finally got to sing with Kim Soo-hyun.”
The broadcaster also posted:
“Thank you Kim Soo-hyun for coming to Mahakarya RCTI 37. It was truly a wonderful moment.”
Participating in Wedding-Themed Segment
Kim Soo-hyun also took part in a segment themed around the fictional wedding of Sena and Davina, two characters from the Indonesian drama Terikat Janji. He also participated in a quiz where he guessed the names of Korean dramas he had acted in and interacted with Indonesian artists on television.
The actor also took on the role of a South Korean food expert during the show. He recommended broth-based dishes suitable for wedding receptions, explaining:
“Yes, the cuisine is important. If you want something with broth, there is Galbitang, a dish featuring beef short ribs. Then there is Janchi-guksu, which consists of warm wheat noodles in an anchovy-based broth.”
Whenever Kim Soo-hyun spoke or chatted with the other actors, the studio filled with cheers from the audience.
What Led to His Hiatus
Kim Soo-hyun had largely suspended his professional activities following a controversy that began in March 2025. The YouTube channel HoverLab (also known as Garosero Research Institute) published a video alleging that Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron had been in a romantic relationship for six years, beginning when she was 15 — below South Korea’s age of consent.
Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seoul on February 16, 2025, at the age of 24 in what authorities ruled a suicide.
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, initially denied the allegations. The agency later acknowledged the two had dated, stating the relationship took place between the summer of 2019 and the fall of 2020, after Kim Sae-ron had turned 19.
On March 31, 2025, Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference in Seoul where he tearfully denied dating Kim Sae-ron while she was underage. He stated:
“I can’t admit to something I didn’t do.”
He explained that the two had dated for about a year, beginning after she became an adult. He also addressed why he had previously denied any relationship at all, saying he had been protecting the cast and production of the drama Queen of Tears at the time.
Cleared of Charges and Legal Developments
On July 29, 2026, the Seongdong Police Station in Seoul closed the investigation into the allegations against Kim Soo-hyun. Police dropped the underage dating charge, citing a lack of evidence.
Kim Se-ui, the operator of the YouTube channel that raised the allegations, was arrested and indicted on charges including defamation. He is currently being held in custody.
During the controversy, several brands, including Prada, cut ties with Kim Soo-hyun. However, with the legal issues resolved, the actor has begun resuming his activities.
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Divided Reactions Online
While fans welcomed Kim Soo-hyun’s return with open arms, his comeback also triggered mixed reactions on social media. Some netizens expressed anger over his return to public life following the controversy.
One social media user wrote:
“They don’t even think about the victim huh?? the accuser’s a girl too overseas. oh Kim Soo Hyun, you’ll continue flipping”
Despite the criticism, many fans remained supportive. One fan account posted:
“OPEN THE WAY… THE KING HAS ARRIVED!”
Another supporter shared:
“Our King Soo Hyun is finally here and we honestly cannot contain our emotions! After all the waiting, the excitement has that enormous queue, THIS is really the moment everyone has been waiting for.”
RCTI welcomed Kim Soo-hyun ahead of the broadcast through its official social media account, writing:
“Kim Soo Hyun is here! Honestly, you can feel how much everyone has missed him. Welcome back.”
What’s Next for the Actor
Kim Soo-hyun has already resumed activities with an overseas advertising shoot. He is scheduled to hold a large-scale fan meeting for around 20,000 attendees at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines, in October 2026 as an advertising model for the fashion brand Bench.
Before traveling to Jakarta, Kim Soo-hyun completed a photoshoot as a model for the Philippine fashion brand BENCH on July 14, 2026. All the products he wore sold out quickly.
The actor also appeared in the Disney+ series Knockoff, though the release date has not yet been determined.
Also Read: Kim Soo-hyun Confirms Official Comeback with Indonesia TV Appearance Before Philippines Fan Meeting
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