Actor Kim Soo-hyun is currently facing significant public backlash and professional setbacks following allegations of a past relationship with underage actress Kim Sae-ron. This situation has escalated with further claims from the family of the late singer-actress Sulli, leading to comparisons with businessman Baek Jong-won‘s handling of his own recent controversies. Critics suggest that Kim Soo-hyun‘s silence is exacerbating the crisis, and a more proactive approach similar to Baek Jong-won‘s could have potentially mitigated the damage.
Baek Jong-won’s Crisis Management: A Study in Contrast
Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, recently faced allegations of mislabeling food origins and violating agricultural land regulations. His response was immediate and transparent. At the company’s first annual shareholder meeting on March 28, 2025, Baek Jong-won publicly apologized, stating,
As a business leader, I deeply regret not managing things more thoroughly.
He not only admitted his mistakes but also outlined specific plans for improvement. Furthermore, on the same day, Baek Jong-won personally visited a wildfire-stricken area in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, providing free meals to victims. This act of social responsibility was seen as a demonstration of his sincerity and willingness to take action beyond words.
Public reactions to Baek Jong-won‘s handling of the situation have been largely positive, with comments such as:
It’s admirable how he admits his mistakes and strives to do better. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is sincere reflection.
Kim Soo-hyun’s Escalating Crisis and Silence
In stark contrast, Kim Soo-hyun has largely remained silent regarding the allegations surrounding his past relationship with Kim Sae-ron. While he has maintained through his agency that “they dated after she became an adult,” evidence reportedly released by Kim Sae-ron‘s family, including text messages, letters, and videos, appears to contradict this claim. Despite this mounting evidence, Kim Soo-hyun has not issued a direct personal explanation or apology.
The situation took a more serious turn when the family of the late Sulli reportedly came forward with additional claims, further drawing Kim Soo-hyun into controversy. The consequences for the actor have been significant. Disney+ has reportedly indefinitely postponed the release of his drama “Knock-Off,” MBC’s “Good Day” has allegedly removed his footage, his fan meeting in Taiwan was canceled, and several commercial contracts have been voided. Industry insiders estimate the potential financial losses could reach a staggering ₩2 trillion, including ₩200 billion in advertisement penalties and ₩1.8 trillion in production-related compensation.
Lessons from Baek Jong-won’s Approach for Kim Soo-hyun
Critics suggest that Kim Soo-hyun could learn valuable lessons from Baek Jong-won‘s crisis management strategy. The first crucial step, they argue, is to acknowledge the issue and issue a swift and sincere apology. Baek Jong-won‘s immediate admission of fault, despite the seriousness of the food mislabeling allegations, demonstrated accountability. Kim Soo-hyun‘s continued silence and denial, in the face of contradictory evidence, have seemingly only fueled greater public suspicion and distrust.
Furthermore, Baek Jong-won backed up his apology with tangible actions by providing aid to wildfire victims. This demonstrated genuine remorse and a commitment to making amends. For Kim Soo-hyun, offering a heartfelt apology and taking responsibility in a concrete and meaningful way could be a crucial step towards regaining public trust.
Public sentiment towards Kim Soo-hyun reflects the negative impact of his silence, with comments such as:
If only he had acknowledged it early on and stepped back, things wouldn’t have spiraled. His career in entertainment is over.
The prevailing opinion suggests that if Kim Soo-hyun hopes to salvage his career and reputation, he needs to break his silence, acknowledge the truth, offer a sincere apology, and take concrete actions to demonstrate accountability. The longer he waits, the more challenging it will likely become for him to recover from this crisis.
