‘HONESTLY, EVERYONE HAS MISSED HIM’: Top Korean Actor Kim Soo Hyun Makes First Official Broadcast Appearance in Over a Year at Indonesian TV Anniversary Gala Following False Allegations

Top South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun has officially stepped back into the public eye, making his first live television appearance in more than a year during a major broadcast celebration in Southeast Asia. The 38-year-old Hallyu superstar travelled to Jakarta on August 23 to appear as the headline guest at Mahakarya RCTI 37, a live televised gala marking the 37th anniversary of Indonesia’s premier private television network, RCTI. The high-profile event marked the actor’s formal return to overseas promotional schedules following an extended hiatus from major industry activities.

The actor’s arrival sparked enthusiastic celebrations among local and international supporters, who packed the Jakarta studio to greet the screen star. Broadcaster RCTI marked the milestone appearance across its official social media channels prior to the live broadcast, sharing a warm welcome message that reflected the palpable excitement surrounding his arrival: “Kim Soo Hyun is here! Honestly, you can feel how much everyone has missed him. Welcome back.”

Videos and broadcast footage captured from the live event depicted Kim Soo Hyun smiling broadly, waving warmly to the cheering audience, and reciprocating their enthusiasm by posing with finger hearts and thumbs-up gestures during his onstage interview and special programme segments.

Hiatus and Past Allegations Concerning Late Actress Kim Sae Ron

The Jakarta engagement represents Kim Soo Hyun’s first major public and broadcast appearance since he suspended the vast majority of his professional schedules last year. The decision to step back from the limelight followed a wave of controversial claims regarding his past private life and his relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron.

Kim Soo Hyun has consistently and firmly rejected allegations suggesting that the two had engaged in a romantic relationship while Kim Sae Ron was a minor, maintaining that the accusations were unfounded.

Defamation Indictment and Ongoing Criminal Proceedings Against YouTuber Kim Se Ui

The legal fallout surrounding the disputed claims took a decisive turn in June, when YouTuber Kim Se Ui—the operator of the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute—was formally detained and indicted by South Korean prosecutors on criminal charges, including defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.

State prosecutors allege that Kim Se Ui deliberately distributed heavily manipulated KakaoTalk messenger transcripts and a fabricated audio recording to substantiate false online claims that Kim Soo Hyun had engaged in a six-year relationship with Kim Sae Ron starting when she was 15 years old. Criminal proceedings and court hearings regarding the defamation charges remain ongoing in South Korea.

With legal authorities actively addressing the fabricated evidence and the online smear campaign, Kim Soo Hyun’s successful appearance in Jakarta signals a confident step forward in resuming his international entertainment commitments.