dexinwin BUSAN, South Korea, Sept. 20, 2026— South Korean actorKim Soo-hyunhas returned to the domestic public spotlight after an absence of about 18 months, appearing as an award presenter at the 2026 THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS (TMA) in Busan on Saturday.
The appearance marked Kim's first official public event in South Korea since a March 2025 press conference, when he addressed controversy surrounding his past relationship with the late actressKim Sae-ron.
Kim attended the ceremony at Busan Asiad Main Stadium as the presenter of the TMA Popularity Award. Wearing a black suit, he presented the trophy to singer Lim Young-woong and delivered remarks about the global growth of K-pop and the role of fans.
A Carefully Planned Return
Kim's return to the South Korean public stage follows a gradual resumption of activities overseas.
In August, he appeared as a special guest on Indonesian broadcaster RCTI's anniversary live program, where he met fans and performed “Dreaming,” a song from the dramaDream High. He has also been active as a model for Philippine fashion brand Bench and is scheduled to hold a fan meeting in Manila in October.
His TMA appearance therefore represents another step in a gradual return to public activities rather than a confirmed return to a new acting production.
The distinction is important: Kim appeared at the awards ceremony as a presenter, and no new drama or film project was announced as part of the TMA event.
Controversy and Legal Developments
Kim's career was significantly affected after allegations emerged in 2025 concerning his relationship with Kim Sae-ron.
Kim acknowledged that he had dated the actress but denied claims that the relationship began while she was a minor, saying that it started after she became an adult. He addressed the allegations at a press conference in March 2025 and pursued legal action over claims he said were false.
In 2026, police decided not to refer allegations concerning an alleged violation of the Child Welfare Act to prosecutors, citing insufficient evidence. The legal developments were followed by a gradual resumption of Kim's overseas activities.
The allegations and the responses from Kim's side remain part of the public discussion surrounding his career. However, his appearance at the TMA itself was a professional event and did not constitute a new statement on those disputes.
FromQueen of Tearsto a New Chapter
Kim remains one of South Korea's most internationally recognized television actors.
His major credits includeDream High,The Moon Embracing the Sun,My Love from the Starand the 2024 global hitQueen of Tears. His performances have helped establish a substantial audience for his work both in South Korea and overseas.
Before his hiatus, Kim had also completed work on Disney+'sKnock-Off, although the series' release schedule was affected during the period of controversy.
In a recent Indonesian interview released by his agency, Kim reflected on his career and said he believed becoming an actor had been the right choice. He also discussed the possibility of asking fans what kind of character they would like to see him play in the future.
What Comes Next?
The TMA appearance does not by itself confirm that Kim Soo-hyun has returned to full-scale acting.
Instead, it represents a visible milestone in a comeback that has developed gradually through overseas appearances, commercial activities and fan events before reaching the South Korean stage.
His next scheduled major activity is a fan meeting in Manila in October, where he is expected to meet thousands of fans in person.
For now, Kim Soo-hyun has taken his first major step back onto the South Korean public stage.
After more than a year away from domestic public events, the actor's appearance at the TMA signals the beginning of a new phase in his career — one in which his next professional projects will determine how his comeback develops.
微信扫一扫打赏
支付宝扫一扫打赏