Kim Dahyun: "Sim Soo-bong called me directly to apologize... I will pull myself together"

[Financial News] Singer Sim Soo-bong, 71, sparked controversy after publicly criticizing junior singer Kim Dahyun, 17. Kim Dahyun said she had received a direct apology from Sim Soo-bong.
On the 21st, Kim Dahyun wrote on Instagram, "I spoke directly with Ms. Sim Soo-bong, and she personally apologized to me," adding, "She also offered encouragement and warm words of comfort."
She also told her fans, "I know this must have upset and worried you because of what happened. I will take time to compose myself, so please don't worry, and let's meet again with our bright smiles."
The previous day, Sim Soo-bong took the stage after Kim Dahyun at the 10th Jinan Plateau Trot Festival in Jinan County, North Jeolla Province.
At the time, Sim Soo-bong made a series of remarks targeting Kim Dahyun, telling the audience, "The woman who sang before me made my head spin," "That young lady seems not to know what singing or life is. Please don't put that performer on before me again," and "Singing is not something you do so carelessly. You have to experience life and hardship."
After a video containing the remarks spread through social networking services (SNS) and various online communities, sparking controversy, Kim Dahyun's father, Kim Bong-gon, reportedly said that his daughter burst into tears after hearing them.
As the controversy grew, Sim Soo-bong issued an apology on the following day, the 21st.
Sim Soo-bong lowered her head and said, "At a trot festival where everyone should have been laughing and enjoying themselves, I said something beyond common sense at an inappropriate moment. Even if I had ten mouths, I would have nothing to say. Above all, I did not know exactly who the singer before me was, and I absolutely did not say it to humiliate anyone in particular. Even so, I was clearly wrong to say something that hurt a junior singer's feelings as an adult."
She added, "Through this apology, I express my deepest regret and apologies to Kim Dahyun, her fan club, and everyone who worked hard for the event. I am sincerely sorry to the many attendees who came to watch the performances on the day of the trot festival. Please forgive me with generous hearts."
Born in 2009, Kim Dahyun is the daughter of Kim Bong-gon, known as the "Cheonghak-dong schoolmaster." She finished as the runner-up on MBN's Voice Trot in 2020 and placed third on MBN's The Best K-Trot Singer in 2023.
Born in 1955, Sim Soo-bong gained attention in 1978 with "The Man Back Then" at the second MBC College Song Contest. She has released hit songs including "Men Are Ships, Women Are Harbors" and "A Million Roses."
[email protected] Kim Soo-yeon Reporter