Cultural critic Kim Gap Soo has once again sparked controversy with his remarks, this time addressing the allegations surrounding actor Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron’s alleged past relationship. His comments, perceived as defending underage relationships, have drawn widespread criticism.

On March 17th KST, Kim appeared on the YouTube channel ‘Maebul Show’, where he discussed the issue, saying, “This news is making a huge fuss as if dating a minor is some kind of massive crime.” He continued, “There can be relationships with large age gaps, and sometimes the woman is much older. That’s just one form of dating.”

Kim went on to question why the issue was being framed as statutory rape, adding, “Kim Sae Ron was a child actress, so she was likely socialized early.” He also made a personal remark, stating, “For me, I wouldn’t have considered someone so young as a romantic partner because they seem too immature.”

Kim further argued that the public’s views on morality and social norms are outdated, stating, “Why is it such a big deal for an adult man to date a minor? Why are we so rigid about this?” He also suggested that Kim Soo Hyun’s denial of the allegations might have been more about image management than the truth, saying, “It’s probably because he thought admitting to it would hurt his image, even though there’s nothing wrong with it.”

Host Choi Wook added to the discussion, questioning whether the topic deserved nationwide media attention, asking, “Is this really an issue important enough for every media outlet in Korea to cover?”

Kim’s comments have been met with fierce criticism, with many condemning his defense of underage relationships and his disregard for the ethical concerns involved. Critics argue that his remarks trivialize the importance of protecting minors and reflect a dangerously outdated perspective.

This isn’t the first time Kim has faced backlash for controversial statements:

• In July 2022, he defended Nam Joo Hyuk amid school bullying allegations, stating, “Even if the allegations are true, it’s normal. If we hold celebrities to such harsh standards, who would survive? The victims don’t seem that pitiful.” His remarks were heavily criticized for downplaying school violence.

• In May 2023, he criticized actress Park Eun Bin for crying during her acceptance speech at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards, saying, “Personal gratitude should be expressed privately. There’s no need to cry in front of people.” He further compared her to Song Hye Kyo and Tang Wei, remarking, “She’s not 18 anymore—at 30, she should learn from Song Hye Kyo.”

Given the mounting criticism, ‘Maebul Show’ has since removed the controversial segment featuring Kim Gap Soo’s remarks from their broadcast.

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