Kim Soo-hyun’s tearful press conference questioned for lack of substance

Actor Kim Soo-hyun speaks during a press conference at the Stanford Hotel in Mapo District, Seoul, Monday, addressing allegations related to the late actor Kim Sae-ron.
Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Actor Kim Soo-hyun’s tearful press conference addressing allegations surrounding his past relationship with the late actor Kim Sae-Ron has drawn criticism from legal and psychological experts as well as on social media, who called the event insincere and unconvincing.

Experts noted that the conference failed to provide clear rebuttals or credible evidence and may have done more harm than good to the actor’s case and public image.

Kim held a press conference on Monday, denying claims that he dated Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor or that she was driven to suicide due to pressure from him or his agency. He tearfully explained his emotional state, his responsibilities as a public figure and the reasoning behind his silence over the years.

However, criminal profiler Bae Sang-hoon, in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel the same day, said he was disappointed by the tone and content of the press event.

“I expected a more honest disclosure and reflection, but it didn’t seem sincere. It came across more as a performance than a heartfelt statement."

Bae criticized Kim’s remarks about choosing to act as the “star Kim Soo-hyun” over “the person Kim Soo-hyun,” calling them evasive.

He added, “You can say you didn’t date her until she was an adult, but that explanation doesn’t come across as mature. It sounds like sophistry."

He also questioned the actor’s emotional display, saying, “He cried and choked up, yet managed to say everything he wanted to. Most people can’t express deep emotions and detailed arguments simultaneously. That’s why people are asking if it was all an act.”

Kim had also submitted a forensic analysis of KakaoTalk conversations to deny the authenticity of messages released by Kim Sae-ron’s side.

But Bae dismissed the validity of the report. “It was conducted not by a government agency but a private statement analysis firm. The results have no objective weight,” he said. “Depending on who analyzes it, you could come to completely opposite conclusions.”

Actor Kim Soo-hyun speaks during a press conference at the Stanford Hotel in Mapo District, Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Lack of credible defense

Attorney Lee Don-ho, head of Nova Law Office, voiced similar concerns in a video on his own YouTube channel. Lee criticized the press conference as being “worse than saying nothing,” saying Kim focused too much on his internal struggles rather than the allegations.

“He shouldn’t be talking about his personal life. That’s not what the public wants to hear,” Lee said. “What people want to know is whether he dated Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor and what the KakaoTalk messages actually meant.”

Lee said that Kim should have addressed the key allegations with clear factual rebuttals rather than relying on emotional appeals.

“If he had dated her, he should have admitted it and accepted the criticism. If he hadn’t, he should have explained why those messages were sent, perhaps by saying she had feelings for him. That kind of explanation was missing.”

He also criticized Kim’s claim that the released KakaoTalk messages and photos were manipulated. “He can’t just vaguely say something was fabricated. He needs to clearly show what was changed and how — by putting the family’s screenshots next to his own and comparing them.”

Regarding Kim’s tears over the exposure of his private life, Lee said, “If that truly upset him, he should have come forward sooner and shown remorse. Crying after everything has been revealed just looks reactive.”

Experts agreed that the press conference lacked a clear and credible defense. “There was no core message,” Lee said. “The press conference was empty. That only prolongs the controversy, and honestly, it may have made things worse.”

Actor Kim Soo-hyun bows at a press conference at the Stanford Hotel in Mapo District, Seoul, on Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Skepticism from social media users

Both domestic and international social media users also questioned his sincerity and the lack of a direct apology.

Commenters reacted with disbelief, saying, “It looks like he’s acting,” “He didn’t apologize,” and “He doesn’t sound genuinely remorseful.”

On X, users also criticized Kim’s remarks, particularly his repeated reference to himself as “star Kim Soo-hyun.” Posts such as “Why does he refer to himself as a ‘star’?” and “He showed up not as a human, but as an actor, those are crocodile tears” were widely reposted, some garnering thousands of shares. Others wrote, “No apology, no remorse.”

One overseas user mocked the actor’s appearance and demeanor, posting, “All-black outfit, full makeup, fake tears, no guilt, no regret, give Kim Soo-hyun an acting award.”

On Instagram, another user said, "Why didn't they allow questions? bro you sat through the fit styling, had makeup done and styled your hair kdrama ceo style and we’re supposed to believe the tears? Remember he’s the expensive actor. So dont believe his fake tears."

Adding to the confusion, shortly after the press conference, the controversial YouTube channel Hoverlab released additional photos and video footage claiming to show new evidence that Kim dated Kim Sae-ron while she was underage.

The video includes footage dated June 21, 2018, when Kim was on military leave, showing him dining at Kim Sae-ron’s home at around 11 p.m. It also shows him singing a song, as well as images of the two allegedly on a ski trip together and a photo of Kim Sae-ron asleep.

Actor Kim Soo-hyun leaves a press conference at the Stanford Hotel in Mapo District, Seoul, on Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

This article is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.