Shim Soo-bong: "Drummers are struggling these days"... Not his first slip of the tongue [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Singer Shim Soo-bong made a remark bordering on a slip of the tongue toward junior singer Kim Da-hyun, tarnishing his own image of 48 years of smooth sailing. The public also reacted with significant disappointment toward Shim Soo-bong.

On the 21st, netizens responded to the incident in which Shim Soo-bong publicly criticized Kim Da-hyun with comments such as, "There's a reason people say to speak less as you age," "Aging gracefully is important. Even if you don't like a junior singer's song, it's not right to criticize them so openly in front of someone much younger," and "Making such remarks publicly is indeed a slip of the tongue."

Others also commented, "Can't you think back to your own youth?" "He's 71 years old... is this something he should say to a 17-year-old?" "Did he suffer a brain disorder? Is his cognitive ability impaired?" "If you're not feeling well, take a break," and "This isn't the first time he's done something like this. At one performance venue, he said in front of the drummer that drummers these days are struggling."

Shim Soo-bong sparked controversy on the 20th when he publicly criticized Kim Da-hyun, who had performed earlier on stage at "Jinan Highland Trot Festival," a program held as part of the "2026 Jinan Ginseng Festival" in the northern area of Misang Mountain, Jinan County, Jeollabuk-do.

That day, Shim Soo-bong referred to Kim Da-hyun as "the woman singing in front of me," while touching his head and saying, "She has made my head spin. Is her manager here by any chance? It seems like a young lady who doesn't know what singing is or what life is about. Listening to her song was so difficult."

He continued, "Please don't send the next performer forward. I'm completely dizzy and feel like I might collapse right now. Singing should not be taken so lightly." He added, "Music that comforts those who come to see you after experiencing life's hardships and struggles is not easy. It was so difficult that I had no choice but to confess this to everyone. Please forgive me."

Shim Soo-bong's impromptu remarks surprised many members of the public, and he faced criticism for why he felt compelled to attack a junior singer in such a public setting.

In response, Shim Soo-bong issued an official statement on the 21st, saying, "On the 20th, I made a slip of the tongue on stage at a local trot festival watched by many people." He added, "I have always been worried and concerned about pop music, and it is true that I was under great stress due to noise at the venue on the day of the event. However, I deeply regret speaking in an inappropriate moment at a trot festival where everyone should be smiling and enjoying themselves with words that went beyond common sense. Even with ten mouths, I have no excuse."

He further stated, "Above all, I did not know exactly who the preceding singer was, and I absolutely did not intend to embarrass any specific person." He apologized, saying, "Nevertheless, as an elder, it is clearly wrong that I said something that hurt a junior singer's feelings."

Along with this, Shim Soo-bong conveyed his deep apologies to Kim Da-hyun and her family.

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*This content was translated by AI.