As the controversy surrounding Kim Soo Hyun's alleged past relationship with the late Kim Sae Ron intensifies, companies are swiftly distancing themselves from the actor.

Recently, a viral online post titled “A Business Owner’s Tears” gained attention, highlighting how a shabu-shabu restaurant had flipped over promotional placemats featuring Kim Soo Hyun’s face to avoid displaying his image. The poster lamented, “Franchise owners must be devastated after investing so much in a model, only to face this situation.”

Mixed Reactions from Netizens

The move sparked debate among netizens:
💬 “This is truly a mess.”
💬 “It’s embarrassing, but flipping the ad is the right move.”
💬 “They should be able to claim damages.”
On the other hand, some felt the reaction was excessive:
💬 “Just eat your food.”
💬 “His face doesn’t change the taste.”
💬 “This is an overreaction.”

List of Brands That Have Cut Ties

As of now, multiple domestic and international brands have reportedly removed Kim Soo Hyun from their advertisements, including:
✅ Prada
✅ Shinhan Bank
✅ Homeplus
✅ Tous les Jours
✅ Dinto
✅ Shabu All Day
✅ Eider

International Backlash Escalates

Beyond South Korea, global response has been even more severe. Viral videos circulating online show businesses removing and discarding promotional materials featuring Kim Soo Hyun.
📍 One video captures a photo booth tearing down his posters.
📍 Another, allegedly from Thailand, shows a standee of Kim Soo Hyun being discarded.
📍 Several Chinese fan clubs have shut down, further fueling online backlash.

What’s Next for Kim Soo Hyun?

With public sentiment turning against the actor, more brands are expected to reconsider their association with him in the coming days. Many South Korean netizens are urging local companies to follow suit, commenting:
🗣️ “We should do the same here.”
🗣️ “K-pop culture has desensitized people to grooming crimes.”
🗣️ “Other companies should cut ties as well.”

As the situation unfolds, the entertainment industry is closely watching to see how this controversy will impact Kim Soo Hyun’s career moving forward.

💬 What are your thoughts on this growing controversy? Share your opinions below! ⬇️