Actor Kim Jung Hyun‘s supposed apology at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards has caused renewed discussion among K-Drama fans about his past actions. The awards show was pre-recorded and will be broadcast later, due to a national mourning period.
The Viral Tweet and Initial Reactions
A tweet that gained over 3.7 million views claimed that Kim Jung Hyun apologized to Girlsโ Generationโs Seohyun, who hosted the event, during his acceptance speech. The tweet criticized the apology as “late and selfish,” suggesting that Kim Jung Hyun did not consider how bringing up a personal matter might affect Seohyun, especially during her hosting duties. The tweet stated:
What was Kim Jung Hyun thinking when he apologized to Seohyun, who was hosting, during his own acceptance speech? LOL. For him, it might have been an event that he can forget about once he steps off the stage. But for Seohyun, she has to keep hosting. He didnโt even consider for a second how his bringing up of a personal matter might affect her. Truly impressive, LOL. I have never seen such a late and selfish apology.
This sparked immediate reactions from K-Drama fans, who connected the apology to Kim Jung Hyunโs 2018 controversy involving his then-girlfriend, actress Seo Ye Ji. It was revealed that Seo Ye Ji had influenced Kim Jung Hyun to avoid intimate scenes with Seohyun in the MBC drama Time. The actor’s “rude attitude” towards Seohyun at the drama’s press conference also resurfaced at that time.
In 2018, Kim Jung Hyun and his former management explained his behavior by saying he was “in method acting mode.” Kim Jung Hyun stated:
On or off the set, Iโm trying to live as Cheon Soo Ho (the character). When Iโm sleeping or commuting, I slip and let Kim Jung Hyun come out. Iโm trying to control that. Iโm just really devoted to the character. Iโm really trying to become him.
โ Kim Jung Hyun
Conflicting Accounts and Netizen Comments
Following the viral tweet, many netizens criticized Kim Jung Hyun for what they perceived as disrespecting Seohyun again by making a public apology. One netizen comment from theqoo stated:
He said it weighed on his mind ever since he returned to acting. He said that he has been meaning to apologize and he bowed in apology.
โ Netizen Comment
Over a thousand comments accused Kim Jung Hyun of forcing Seohyun to accept his apology publicly. Some comments from theqoo included:
โApologies should be done in person, in private. I canโt believe he attacked her with a public apology at an official KBS event that is entirely unrelated.โ โUsing an award show space for personal matters is such a nuisance. Same goes for Jung Woo Sung.โ โSoโฆ Why did you act that way back then?โ โThis is so violent toward Seohyun, IMO. Heโs basically forcing her to accept the apology.โ โJust dumping his sh*t all over the event just so he could feel better about himselfโฆโ
โ Netizen Comment
However, other attendees offered a different perspective. One comment from Instiz claimed:
I was at the ceremony. He didnโt apologize to her directly. He did mention that he had done a lot of things in the past that he regrets, but he didnโt specifically say what. His point was that he was still sorry and that he was still working on himself, as well as how meaningful the award means to him because of it. Itโs not exactly like he addressed Seohyun and then apologized to her.
โ Netizen Comment
Concerns About the Broadcast and Past Apologies
The differing accounts have created confusion about what exactly Kim Jung Hyun said. One netizen expressed concern about the potential impact on Seohyun if the apology is aired:
At least thereโs hope for this being edited out since itโs pre-recorded. But had it been live? Even if he didnโt mention her name, the camera wouldโve zoomed right to Seohyunโs reaction. Dozens of articles wouldโve been written about it. This is just putting Seohyun through it all over again. Since Seohyun was hosting the show, she probably wouldโve had to smile or react positively to it. Apologizing in this manner only makes himself feel better and itโs selfish. Honestly, I think heโs an awful person.
โ Netizen Comment
Kim Jung Hyun previously apologized on Instagram in September 2021, five months after the scandal surfaced. However, in 2023, during a press conference for Kokdu: Season of Deity, he claimed to have no memory of 2018, which caused further backlash.
The broadcast date for the 2024 KBS Drama Awards is yet to be announced, leaving fans uncertain about what will be aired.
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