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The Return of Kim Soo-hyun Takes Center Stage in Korea is taking shape. After gradually resuming his activities in recent months, the actor will officially participate in the The Fact Music Awards 2026, where he will take the stage as the host.
The ceremony's organizing committee confirmed the news on August 28, announcing: «Kim Soo-hyun will serve as a host at the 2026 The Fact Music Awards, to be held on September 19 at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium.»
A particularly symbolic appearance, since it will be his the first official public event in Korea in about a year and a half.
Kim Soo-hyun will officially return to the Korean public
Kim Soo-hyun's last official appearance in his home country was March 2025, when he had held a press conference to personally respond to the allegations that were circulating...and then about his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
Since then, his career had largely taken a back seat while several investigations and legal proceedings were underway. However, the situation has changed significantly in recent months.
In late July, South Korean police decided to not to refer allegations of violations of the Child Protection Act to the prosecutor's office against the actor. The investigation had, in particular, examined allegations that he had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor, before concluding that the elements of the alleged offenses had not been established.
Korean media also reported that analyses of the audio recording—presented as a central piece of evidence in the allegations—had concluded that it was generated or manipulated using artificial intelligence.
And another development in the actor's favor occurred this week.
Visit August 27, the Seoul Eastern District Court dismissed the claim filed by the watch brand Mido, which had sought approximately 570 million won from its agency after terminating its advertising contract. This is the the first ruling issued in the various proceedings brought by former advertisers.
His attorney, Bang Sung-hoon, explained at the time that the central issue was Kim Soo-hyun’s liability, asserting that the investigation had shown that the actor had been the victim of false information and evidence tampered with by a third party.
In this context, his appearance at the TMAs takes on special significance: it is no longer just a one-time return to his activities, but his official comeback before the Korean public and media.
A comeback eagerly awaited by his fans
However, the announcement did not resolve all the divisions stemming from the controversy. In some Korean online communities, users criticized the organizers’ choice and, in particular, questioned the presence of an actor at a ceremony primarily dedicated to K-pop.
However, these reactions remain a minor element of the ad : As for his fans, many were especially eager to find out when Kim Soo-hyun would finally make his return at a major event held in Korea. In recent months, the actor had already begun gradually resuming his activities, notably through advertising campaigns and appearances abroad. But the The Fact Music Awards will mark a different milestone due to their high visibility and, above all, because the event will take place in his home market.
Choosing a role as host This will allow him to make his official return to a major Korean stage, in front of an audience that includes many K-pop fans. The full list of hosts for this year’s event has not yet been announced, but Kim Soo-hyun’s participation has now been confirmed.
After nearly 18 months without an official appearance of this kind in Korea, so all eyes will be on Busan next month. The 2026 The Fact Music Awards will take place on September 19 at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. What do you think about this return to the event?
