As controversies surrounding the film Real continue to grow, a past cameo appearance by Suzy in the 2017 movie is once again under scrutiny.
In a resurfaced interview, Kim Soo-hyun recalled casually asking Suzy—his former co-star from Dream High—to make a brief appearance. According to him, Suzy agreed without hesitation. He added that Suzy spent six hours getting tattoo makeup done, only to appear in the final cut for approximately five seconds. After filming, she reportedly told him, “This wasn’t what we talked about,” to which he could only respond with repeated apologies.
While Kim described the incident as light-hearted, online reactions in both Korea and abroad show that many see it differently, especially in the wake of growing concerns over how women were portrayed in Real.
Korean Reactions: “Was this just a vanity project?”
Many Korean commenters expressed frustration, criticizing how actresses like Suzy, IU, and Ahn So-hee were used in Real with little narrative purpose. Suzy’s short appearance—despite hours of preparation—was seen as symbolic of the film’s broader issues.
Top Korean Comments (Source : Nate)
“Was this movie just made for Kim Soo-hyun’s ego? Even Kim Ki-duk would be proud…” (👍 1,205, 👎 23)
“Sohee got 3 seconds, IU got 1. Kyungri and Dasom were so dark and backlit, you couldn’t even see them. And Suzy, the ‘nation’s first love,’ smoking in a tattoo scene?!” (👍 1,063, 👎 23)
“Six hours of prep for five seconds? Suzy is too kind. This is just humiliating.” (👍 1,059, 👎 29)
“Kim Soo-hyun’s vanity film. Even the premiere was about him. Suzy is reduced to a smoker with tattoos, Sohee is a maid… How degrading.” (👍 118, 👎 3)
“So did he just call in every female friend for cameo roles that made them look ridiculous?” (👍 117, 👎 1)
“Now I’m curious—what was the point of making this movie?” (👍 112, 👎 1)
“Did he have flings with every cameo actress in this film?” (👍 99, 👎 2)
“I didn’t even know Suzy was in this. Kim Soo-hyun… just wow.” (👍 82, 👎 3)
Global Reactions: “Betrayed by a friend?” vs. “This is overblown”
International responses were mixed. Some expressed outrage at how Suzy may have been misled, while others questioned whether the backlash was justified.
Top Global Comments (Source : allkpop)
“This is nonsense. Are we blaming him for saying thank you too late? People are just digging for reasons to hate him.” (👍 14, 👎 23)
“I feel so bad for these girls. You think you’re helping a friend’s indie project, and you end up in full body tattoos for a 4-second cameo. She must’ve felt tricked.” (👍 8)
“Imagine agreeing to a quick cameo and showing up to find out you’re fully inked and the film is a chaotic mess. I’d be furious too.” (👍 6)
“What’s the issue? She came in six hours early for makeup. Clearly she knew the role. Are we just mad she only got 5 seconds?” (👍 6)
“Suzy must’ve been a real friend. That was a lot of effort for a quick favor.” (👍 4)
“Guys, it was a cameo. Like Brad Pitt’s 2 seconds in Deadpool.” (👍 3)
“Leave Suzy out of this. She’s barely involved. Stop dragging unrelated people into the scandal.” (👍 2)
Commentary: Misused Trust or Misread Intentions?
This isn’t just about screen time — it’s about power dynamics, friendship, and trust in the entertainment industry.
In Korea, netizens are critical of how female stars were portrayed in Real, often in roles that felt exploitative or purposeless. The fact that so many well-known actresses appeared briefly and without context only amplified suspicions that the movie was more of a personal project than a professional one.
Suzy’s cameo, in particular, stood out due to her national image and the contrast between her character and public persona. Many Koreans saw this as an abuse of trust, masked as a favor between friends.
Globally, the tone is less outraged but still uneasy. While some see Suzy as a victim of poor communication or manipulation, others suggest the backlash is exaggerated, especially given the commonality of brief cameos in film.
In the end, the Suzy scene represents more than just a few seconds of film — it reflects how even small roles can become flashpoints in conversations about gender, agency, and celebrity responsibility.