Kim Soo-hyun returns to domestic stage at 2026 TMA, 18 months after controversy
Kim Soo-hyun presented the TMA Popularity Award to Lim Young-woong at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on Sept. 19—his first official South Korean appearance since early 2025.
First domestic appearance in 18 months
Kim Soo-hyun took the stage in South Korea for the first time in roughly 18 months on September 19, presenting the TMA Popularity Award at the 2026 The Fact Music Awards held at Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Yeonje-gu, Busan. He handed the trophy to Lim Young-woong (임영웅).
From the podium, Kim spoke to the crowd as a K-pop fan himself. "Today I stand here as a presenter, but I am also someone who loves K-pop." He continued: K-pop "has become a single culture that fans around the world enjoy, empathize with, and communicate across borders and languages."
The controversy and its legal conclusion
Kim had stopped domestic work after allegations surfaced in March of last year. The claim: he had dated the late Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor. His agency acknowledged the relationship but said it began only after she reached adulthood. Kim's side filed a defamation complaint against YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute representative Kim Se-ui and the deceased's family.
In July, police declined to indict Kim Soo-hyun on a Child Welfare Act violation complaint, citing insufficient evidence. The records went to prosecutors. The prosecution requested no further investigation, effectively ending the proceedings that had stretched since last year. Kim Se-ui, who had raised the original allegations, faced indictment on defamation charges.
Activity resumption, domestic and abroad
Overseas work had already resumed. Kim took a Philippines engagement in July, then appeared last month as a special guest on Indonesian broadcaster RCTI's 37th anniversary live special, where he sang the OST from his drama Dream High.
The TMA appearance marks his return to the domestic circuit. He is scheduled next for the Asia Artist Awards 2026 (AAA 2026) on December 5–6 at Kaohsiung National Stadium.
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