[Comprehensive] Shim Soo-bong apologizes for controversy over targeting Kim Da-hyun: "No intention to humiliate... Sorry as an elder"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

• Kim Da-hyun's side: "Received apology.. Never met on site"

Singer Shim Soo-bong (71) bowed his head after growing controversy over his public criticism of 17-year-old trot newcomer Kim Da-hyun's performance.

On the 21st, Shim issued an official statement apologizing for remarks that demeaned Kim Da-hyun, stating, "On the 20th, I made a slip of the tongue on a stage at a local trot festival watched by many people."

He continued, "I have always been concerned and worried about pop music, and it is true that I was under great stress due to noise at the event venue on the day of the performance. However, I deeply regret speaking inappropriately with words beyond common sense at a moment when everyone should be laughing and enjoying the trot festival. No matter how many mouths I had, I would have nothing to say."

He further added, "Most importantly, I did not know exactly who the singer performing before me was, and I absolutely did not intend to humiliate any specific person. Nevertheless, as an elder, it was clearly wrong for me to hurt a junior singer's feelings with my words," he apologized.

Shim stated, "I conveyed my deepest apologies to Kim Da-hyun and her family. During this process, upon hearing from her father that Kim had sung 'One Million Roses' while playing the piano at a concert, I thought, 'How much practice must she have done?' and my eyes grew warm." He continued, "Through this apology statement, I offer my deepest regrets and apologies to Kim Da-hyun, her fan club, and all those who worked hard for the event. I sincerely apologize to the many participants who came to watch the trot festival performance on that day. Please forgive me with a broad heart," he repeatedly apologized.

Later, a representative from Kim Da-hyun's side told StarNews on the same day, "Shim Soo-bong called and conveyed his apology." Regarding the situation at the venue, they explained, "Kim was scheduled to perform first, and there was no path for us to meet in the waiting room or elsewhere. The two never met at the site at all."

On the 20th, Shim appeared on stage at 'Jinan Highland Trot Festival,' a program of the '2026 Jinan Ginseng Festival' held in the northern area of Maibsan Mountain, Jinan County, Jeollabuk-do.

Earlier that day, before Shim took the stage, Kim performed songs including 'Praise Whale', 'I'm a Lotto', 'Good Shot!', and 'Black Swan'. After finishing her performance, Kim descended from the stage amid audience chants.

Subsequently, Shim took the stage. After singing two songs, he continued his remarks by referring to Kim, who had performed earlier, as "the woman who sang in front of me."

Holding his head, Shim said, "You made my head dizzy. Is that manager here? It seems like a young lady who doesn't know what singing is or what life is. Listening to her song was too painful."

He further added, "Please don't send the next performer forward. I am completely dizzy and feel like I might collapse right now. Singing is not something you can treat so carelessly."

He then said, "You need life experience and hardships; music that comforts those who come to see you is not easy. It was too difficult for me, so I have no choice but to confess to everyone. Please forgive me," he added.

After these remarks became known, online reactions continued with opinions such as "Shim's comments were excessive," "Isn't this slander against a junior artist?", "Humiliating a junior in public is not the behavior of an elder," and "It seems like he hurt the junior singer with insulting language."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original