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Kim Jung Hyun apologised to Seohyun while receiving an award for his role in KBS’s Iron Family.
In 2018, Kim Jung Hyun and his management had addressed the controversy. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
The 2024 KBS Drama Awards, held privately due to a national mourning period, was meant to be a solemn and celebratory occasion. During the event, actor Kim Jung Hyun has once again become the centre of heated debate after reports emerged about an apology he made during his acceptance speech. The apology, which allegedly referenced past controversies involving Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun, has left K-Drama fans divided and reignited old grievances.
An X post, now viral with over 8 million views, claims that Kim Jung Hyun apologised to Seohyun, who hosted the event while receiving an award for his role in KBS’s Iron Family. The post criticised the timing and nature of the apology.
“What was Kim Jung Hyun thinking when he apologised to Seohyun, who was hosting, during his own acceptance speech? LOL. For him, it might have been an event that he could forget about once he stepped 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,” the user commented.
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
While no explicit details of the apology have been confirmed, fans immediately linked it to Kim Jung Hyun’s infamous 2018 scandal. At the time, his ex-girlfriend, actress Seo Ye Ji, was accused of instructing him to refuse intimate scenes with co-star Seohyun during the filming of MBC’s Time. His alleged rude attitude toward Seohyun at the drama’s press conference added to the uproar, reports Koreabo.
In 2018, Kim Jung Hyun and his management addressed the controversy, attributing his behaviour to intense method acting.
The resurfaced scandal has led to mixed reactions online. Despite these clarifications, many remain upset, arguing that the apology—whether or not directed at Seohyun—could still have put her in an uncomfortable position, especially given her role as the host.
“To do something like this to someone as unproblematic and angelic as Seohyun should be punishable by law. Kim Jung Hyun should be cancelled forever,” wrote a fan.
“That Korean man now thinking that apologising in public will be cheered and forgiven,” wrote another fan.
Those korean man now thinking that apologizing in public will be cheered and forgiven. That jung woosung a$ and park juhyun cheEEErs on him, making it like an IT n okay event. Both those guys (n girls) n guys in squit games are 🤏. Hope they wont be able to use their D again https://t.co/HEZ3FK8t9F— mer_ryiam 💗 (@kimmer_ry) January 1, 2025
“The nerve of that guy??!! leave Seohyun alone,” read another angry reaction on X.
This isn’t the first time Kim Jung Hyun has faced backlash over this controversy. In September 2021, he issued an Instagram apology for his behaviour. However, during a 2023 press conference for Kokdu: Season of Deity, his claim of having “no memories from 2018″ reignited anger among fans.
As of now, the broadcast date for the pre-recorded awards ceremony remains unknown, leaving fans to speculate whether the alleged apology will make it to air—and whether it will further fuel the ongoing debate.
