"From 'Queen of Tears' to Public Tears" — Kim Soo-hyun Becomes Target of Viral Memes

Just a year after riding high on the massive success of Queen of Tears, actor Kim Soo-hyun now finds himself under fire—his once-iconic role in My Love from the Star even becoming the subject of online parody.

From Nation’s Top Star to Public Scrutiny

In April 2023, Kim Soo-hyun was the king of K-dramas, captivating viewers with his role as Baek Hyun-woo in Queen of Tears. The drama achieved a record-breaking 24.9% viewership rating on tvN, cementing his status as a top Hallyu star. Fast-forward to April 2024, and Kim’s reputation is under heavy fire due to a string of controversies involving his personal life.

On March 31, Kim held a press conference to address ongoing rumors—including allegations of a past relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron during her teenage years. However, the event backfired. His emotional tone, including tears and personal anecdotes, was perceived by many as tone-deaf and insincere.

“It Was All About Him” — Public Reaction Backfires

Critics pointed out that rather than clearly denying or clarifying key accusations, Kim focused on his own mental struggles and inner conflict.

Even his appearance became a talking point—dressed in a somber black suit with full makeup, yet sporting unshaven facial hair, which some saw as a calculated attempt to appear disheveled.

Among the evidence presented were recordings and KakaoTalk chat logs, but many netizens felt they lacked credibility or failed to counter public suspicion. A 700 million KRW damages claim from his agency Gold Medalist also surfaced, which Kim confirmed, but claimed was a procedural matter—not personal revenge.

“My Love from the Star” Now a Meme?

Making matters worse, the press conference sparked parody videos referencing My Love from the Star—the 2013 drama that catapulted Kim to global stardom. One viral clip edits Kim’s real press conference into a scene from the drama where Chun Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun) receives tips from her friend (Hong Jin-kyung) on how to cry during a press event.

The parody mimics the now-infamous elements of Kim’s conference: black attire, teary eyes, and a carefully timed emotional climax. The video has surpassed 5.09 million views, spreading rapidly across YouTube, TikTok, and Korean online communities.

From Peak to Parody in 12 Months

What was once Kim Soo-hyun’s greatest strength—his sensitive, heartfelt image—has now become the subject of mockery. Online, new nicknames playing on My Love from the Star are gaining traction, and his once-adored drama is being recontextualized as an ironic symbol of his current fall from grace.

As legal battles continue and the backlash mounts, it remains to be seen whether Kim can recover from this dramatic shift in public opinion—or if his tearful appearance marked the beginning of a long-term image crisis.

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