On March 25, it was officially announced that Kim Soo-hyun has canceled his scheduled appearance at a cherry blossom festival and fan event in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The event, sponsored by a local convenience store chain, was set to take place on March 30 and had generated strong anticipation from fans.
However, following weeks of controversy, including allegations that Kim had a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage, the organizers took to social media to announce the cancellation. The announcement came just days after MBC edited him out of their variety show Good Day, and Disney+ indefinitely postponed the release of his upcoming drama Knock-Off.
Despite earlier reports that Taiwanese authorities were preparing to dispatch additional police for crowd control, the event was officially scrapped. Some media outlets speculate that Kim or his agency may face penalties of up to 1.3 billion KRW (~$960,000 USD) for canceling.
Korean Netizens: “He Brought This on Himself”
The majority of Korean online commenters responded with harsh criticism, labeling Kim’s decision as a calculated PR move. Many believe that the cancellation was inevitable, especially amid rising backlash from Chinese-speaking communities.
Top Korean Comments (Source : Nate)
“Only in Korea do they hire online trolls to control public opinion. Other countries won’t fall for it.” (👍 1,795 )
“Other countries are taking this seriously.” (👍 1,636 )
“Hope the organizers sue and get full compensation!” (👍 1,429 )
“He’s playing the game now: releasing emotional photos, fake friends’ recordings, and then canceling events to manipulate public sympathy. People aren’t falling for it.” (👍 226 )
“How did he even think of going to Taiwan when there’s a petition for capital punishment in the Chinese-speaking world?” (👍 188 )
“This is self-inflicted.” (👍 182 )
“What goes around comes around.” (👍 175 )
“Let’s not shift the focus. The real issue is whether or not he dated a minor.” (👍 137 )
Global Reactions: “He’s Done” vs. “Give Him a Chance”
On Reddit and other global platforms, reactions ranged from sarcastic takedowns to sympathetic messages urging due process. Some international users believe his career is over, while others express cautious support.
Top Global Comments (Source : allkpop)
“Kim Soo-hyun is so done. Brands dropped him, fan meets canceled, and still no press conference. At this rate, he might need to quit his series too.” (👍 15)
“Garosero’s interviews were brutal. The ex-boyfriend only dated her for a week and now looks like a pawn in a media stunt. It all backfired.” (👍 7)
“Wise decision. He’d get egged as a CCP spy and pedo.” (👍 7)
“Scheduling conflict with who? The police? Kim Sae-ron’s ghost?” (👍 5)
“‘Scheduling conflict’ = I don’t want to be fined.” (👍 5)
“It’s okay, KSH. You still have fans who believe in due process. You’ll come back stronger.” (👍 4)
Commentary: Sympathy Wears Thin as Trust Crumbles
Both Korean and global reactions reflect a deepening sense of disillusionment with Kim Soo-hyun’s handling of the situation.
In Korea, the tone is especially critical. Many believe his recent actions — from releasing emotional photos to canceling scheduled events — are tactical moves to distract the public, rather than genuine responses. The core concern remains unresolved for many: whether the underage relationship rumors are true, and whether he’s avoiding accountability.
Internationally, while some fans remain cautiously supportive, the dominant reaction leans toward frustration and even mockery. The lack of a public explanation and growing list of cancellations have made Kim appear evasive. To some, his career appears to be collapsing under the weight of silence.
This incident highlights a broader truth in today’s entertainment world:
Scandals are no longer local — and public trust, once lost, is difficult to reclaim globally.