Kim Soo-Hyun will make his first major public appearance in South Korea in nearly a year and a half. He will be a presenter for the upcoming 2026 The Fact Music Awards (TMA), in another step in making himself a household name in South Korea after the accusations of his affair with the late actress Kim Sae-Ron.
The 2026 The Fact Music Awards will take place on September 19 at Busan Asiad Main Stadium. The organising committee announced on August 28 that Kim Soo-Hyun will be present at the ceremony as a presenter. His participation will be well-publicised since the actor has been under so much pressure for the past year.
While the news is a big deal for the star, it does not mean Kim Soo-Hyun has made a public statement that he will go back into acting. He is not in the present day of the awards ceremony (as a presenter). But we have not received any news about a new Korean drama or film for him to do so.
Kim Soo-Hyun will not have gone to the United States since his first public press conference in March 2025 where he addressed allegations surrounding his relationship with Kim Sae-Ron and spoke out about the controversy that had rocked his career.
The controversy came to the surface as evidence of Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Sae-Ron’s relationship was debated. Online claims that the two had been romantically involved when Kim Sae-Ron was underage. Kim Soo-Hyun and his representatives have always denied that he was in contact with the actress when she was a teenager.
The case had now gone beyond the original allegations and was ongoing, with various battles and allegations made by YouTuber Kim Se-Ui. Reports suggested that Kim Se-Ui spread information about Kim Soo-Hyun in YouTube channels claims the actor denied and which the actor said hurt him.
There were also reports that AI-manipulated audio recordings of Kim Sae-Ron were used in broadcasts. The allegations of manipulation of audio and the dissemination of disputed information only added another layer to an already complicated dispute. And Kim Se-Ui has been accused of being involved in legal proceedings, including arrest.
Kim Soo-Hyun has said the claims against him were false and said he intends to go to court. His representatives have claimed that the developments in the case have been proof of the actor’s resolve after months of pressure.
The actor is also said to have legal representatives who are planning to sue Kim Se-Ui for damages. Kim Soo-Hyun’s legal team is looking at a civil claim worth 30 billion won (about Rs 192 crore) according to reports. The actor’s lawyer will be looking to sue for false statements and damage to the actor’s reputation.
A legal representative for Kim Soo-Hyun had told MBC News that Kim Se-Ui spread claims that Kim Soo-Hyun had been in a long-term relationship with Kim Sae-Ron since she was a teen. The lawyer also claimed that claims were spread that pressure from Kim Soo-Hyun’s agency over repayment of a debt caused Kim Sae-Ron’s death. Kim Soo-Hyun’s side has denied such claims.
With the legal battle in the pipeline, his acceptance as presenter at 2026 The Fact Music Awards could also be a carefully calibrated return to the public stage. Rather than immediately announcing a new acting project, he is taking on a more formal awards-show role to connect with the South Korean entertainment industry and then perhaps get back to scripted productions.
Kim Soo-Hyun is one of South Korea’s most internationally famous actors and has a huge global fan base with "My Love from the Star", "The Producers", "It’s Okay to Not Be Okay" and "Queen of Tears". So returning to a major domestic entertainment event will draw large numbers of Korean and international fans.
So fans will have to wait until September 19 to see Kim Soo-Hyun back on the main South Korean stage. His appearance at the 2026 The Fact Music Awards might not be a career-making return to acting, but it would be a big first step in his public image rebuild in Korean entertainment.
With the awards ceremony on the way up, further information about Kim Soo-Hyun’s professional plans might shed light on whether the presenter’s appearance will eventually be followed by a new drama, film or other acting project.
Comments
Please to leave a comment on this article.