Shim Soo-bong Returns to TV After Controversy Over Remarks About Kim Da-hyun: “I Want to Comfort Those Facing Life’s Hardships”

[Financial News]   Singer Shim Soo-bong, 71, whose public remarks about junior singer Kim Da-hyun sparked controversy, appeared on a broadcast for the first time since then and spoke about music and life.
Shim Soo-bong took the stage on EBS’s “Space Empathy,” which aired on the 7th, and performed songs including “Men Are Ships, Women Are Harbors,” “The Man Back Then,” “I Hate You,” “Binari” and “A Million Roses.”
Between songs, Shim Soo-bong also spoke about her childhood and experiences that influenced her music. “My father died when I was young, so I spent my whole life living in loneliness with my widowed mother,” she said. “That’s why my songs are imbued with loneliness.”
Shim Soo-bong cited “empathy and comfort” as the most important sentiment in her music. “My music has just one color: ‘empathy and comfort,’” she said, adding, “Even now, I want to offer empathy and comfort to people living difficult and sad lives.”
While talking about “Mugunghwa,” which was once designated a banned song, Shim Soo-bong expressed her gratitude to fans. “This song, and your unwavering love—which I needed more than anything—saved me,” she said.
The controversy began at the 10th Jinan Plateau Trot Festival, held on the 20th of last month in Jinan County, North Jeolla Province. Referring to Kim Da-hyun, who had just performed before her, Shim Soo-bong said, “The girl who sang before me made my head spin. She seems like a young woman who doesn’t know what a song is or what life is.” She added, “Please don’t have that performer go on before me again. You shouldn’t take singing lightly.”
As criticism continued, Shim Soo-bong acknowledged that her remarks had been a slip of the tongue and apologized. “I absolutely did not say it to humiliate any particular person. I had concerns about popular music, and on the day of the event, the noise at the venue caused me a great deal of stress,” she explained.


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