Actor Kim Jung Hyun’s Alleged Apology Triggers K-Drama Fans All Over Again—Discord Over “What Was Said” Continues
At the “2024 KBS Drama Awards,” held in private to be pre-recorded and broadcast later in accordance with the week-long national mourning period, actor Kim Jung Hyun is said to have apologized for his problematic actions of the past.
A viral tweet, now with over 3.7M views, alleged that the actor apologized to Girls’ Generation‘s Seohyun, who was hosting the awards show, during his acceptance speech for an award (assumed to be for his role in KBS’s Iron Family). The tweet slammed the actor for being inconsiderate, calling his apology “late and selfish.”
김정현은 대체 무슨 생각으로 본인 수상소감 도중에 엠씨 보는 중인 서현한테 사과한 거? ㅋㅋ 본인은 내려가서 박수치면 그만일 스케쥴이고 계속해서 진행해야 하는데 느닷없이 사적인 일 언급당한 상대방 생각은 진짜 조금도 안 하는 거 대단 ㅋㅋ 이렇게까지 느려터지고 이기적인 사과 처음 봄
— 해 (@aboutloveknot) December 31, 2024
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 didn’t 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.
— @aboutloveknot/X
While no details of the apology was mentioned, K-Drama fans immediately understood it to be related to Kim Jung Hyun’s past scandal—one involving his actress ex-girlfriend, Seo Ye Ji (Seo Yea Ji), who dictated Kim Jung Hyun to refuse intimate scenes with co-star Seohyun in MBC‘s K-Drama, Time.
At the time, following the Dispatch exposé, the actor’s “rude attitude” toward Seohyun at the show’s press conference also resurfaced. In 2018, Kim Jung Hyun and his former management released a statement, claiming that he was “in method acting mode” for the role.
On or off the set, I’m trying to live as Cheon Soo Ho (the character). When I’m sleeping or commuting, I slip and let Kim Jung Hyun come out. I’m trying to control that. I’m just really devoted to the character. I’m really trying to become him.
— Kim Jung Hyun
As the tweet went viral, K-Drama fans were quick to criticize the actor for disrespecting Seohyun again—especially after some attendees of the “2024 KBS Drama Awards” also attested to what the actor said on stage.
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.
— Netizen Comment
Over a thousand comments accused Kim Jung Hyun of basically forcing his former co-star to accept his apology by making it public.
- “Apologies should be done in person, in private. I can’t believe he attacked her with a public apology at an official KBS event that is entirely unrelated.”
- “Using an award show space for personal matters is such a nuisance. Same goes for Jung Woo Sung.”
- “So… Why did you act that way back then?”
- “This is so violent toward Seohyun, IMO. He’s basically forcing her to accept the apology.”
- “Just dumping his sh*t all over the event just so he could feel better about himself…”
Meanwhile, other attendees have stepped forward and claimed that the tweet (and reactions to the tweet) might be hasty. One attendee clarified that the apology wasn’t directed at Seohyun and that Kim Jung Hyun didn’t even mention her name.
I was at the ceremony. He didn’t apologize to her directly.
He did mention that he had done a lot of things in the past that he regrets, but he didn’t 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. It’s not exactly like he addressed Seohyun and then apologized to her.
— Netizen Comment
Still, discord over what was said and even what will air continues. One comment specifically pointed out that, had it happened live, Seohyun would have had to endure being in the spotlight over the same issue all over again.
At least there’s hope for this being edited out since it’s pre-recorded. But had it been live? Even if he didn’t mention her name, the camera would’ve zoomed right to Seohyun’s reaction. Dozens of articles would’ve been written about it. This is just putting Seohyun through it all over again. Since Seohyun was hosting the show, she probably would’ve had to smile or react positively to it. Apologizing in this manner only makes himself feel better and it’s selfish. Honestly, I think he’s an awful person.
— Netizen Comment
In September 2021, for the first time in 5 months since the scandal, Kim Jung Hyun took to Instagram and apologized for his behavior. But in 2023, during a press conference for Kokdu: Season of Deity, the actor claimed that he had no memories from 2018—which led to backlash all over again from K-Drama fans who most definitely remembered.
Actor Kim Jung Hyun Says He Has “No Memories From 5 Years Ago,” Disappoints K-Drama Fans
No date or time has been set for the broadcast of the pre-recorded “2024 KBS Drama Awards,” keeping K-Drama fans in the dark about what exactly happened—and whether the alleged apology will air or not.
