Actor Kim Soo-hyun‘s recent press conference aimed at clarifying his alleged relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron has sparked widespread backlash, not for its content, but for its emotional delivery. On Chinese social media, netizens are now drawing comparisons to Edison Chen’s 2008 press conference following his own explosive scandal, praising the latter for taking full accountability in just five minutes.

Kim Soo-hyun’s Press Conference Backfires

On March 31, Kim Soo-hyun tearfully addressed rumors involving his past with Kim Sae-ron. However, instead of regaining public sympathy, his nearly 36-minute emotional speech, filled with sobs, gasping, and tears, was widely criticized as overacting. Many felt that he dodged key questions, referring to Kim Sae-ron only as “a person from my past”, and avoiding direct answers when reporters pressed for clarity.

One reporter bluntly asked, “If you’re holding a press conference, can’t you answer clearly just once?” Kim, visibly shaken, bowed in silence and exited the venue. The attempt at transparency backfired, with viewers calling his tears “inauthentic” and even mocking his appearance, pointing out what looked like a wig covering a receding hairline and unusually sharp facial features, speculating on cosmetic enhancements.

Edison Chen’s 2008 Apology Resurfaces

Adding fuel to the fire, netizens on Weibo began circulating clips of Edison Chen’s 2008 press conference, hailing it as a model of how celebrities should handle scandal. At the time, Chen was at the center of one of the biggest controversies in Asian entertainment history when 1,300 private photos of him with various female celebrities, such as Cecilia Cheung and Gillian Chung, were leaked online. Chen held a five-minute press conference, directly admitted responsibility, and announced his indefinite retirement from the Hong Kong entertainment industry.

Comments on Weibo praised Edison Chen for_ “taking responsibility like a man”,_ contrasting his approach with Kim Soo-hyun’s tearful avoidance. Many said, “At least Edison apologized properly,” and called his brief yet direct statement “a PR masterclass.” The topic even trended on China’s Weibo search rankings after Kim’s press event.

The Lingering Lessons and Public Expectations

Kim Soo-hyun, for his part, reiterated at the press conference that his past with Kim Sae-ron occurred “many years ago” and that he did not wish for the matter to be dragged back into the public sphere. He also denied accusations of manipulation, stating, “I take responsibility for what I did, but I can’t let false accusations define me.”

His legal representatives added that the matter is currently under legal review and that he would refrain from further comment until an official resolution is reached.

Netizens noted that many scandals in the Asian entertainment industry follow similar trajectories, with public apologies often serving as a final lifeline for a damaged reputation. But they argue that what sets Edison Chen’s case apart was his willingness to take full responsibility, something they feel Kim Soo-hyun has yet to do.

Edison Chen’s own scandal had devastating consequences for many involved. Gillian Chung’s once-innocent public image was shattered, Cecilia Cheung faced marital crisis, and Edison himself left for the U.S., turning to fashion entrepreneurship. Though his career never fully recovered, many now see his exit as an act of accountability, albeit one criticized at the time as a form of avoidance.

More than a decade later, Edison Chen’s scandal is still remembered as one of the most infamous moments in C-entertainment history. For Kim Soo-hyun, comparisons to such a notorious case may suggest that public forgiveness will require more than just tears – it may demand genuine clarity, accountability, and, perhaps most importantly, humility.