Shim Su-bong apologizes again to Kim Da-hyun: 'I hope you grow into a great musician'

Singer Shim Su-bong, 71, publicly apologized again to fellow singer Kim Da-hyun, 17, before a live audience — more than 40 days after openly criticizing the younger artist on stage at a regional festival.

According to Shim's agency, SB Planning, Shim said at a concert held Saturday at Baekun Art Hall in Wonju, Gangwon Province, "It was something I should never have said, and it all stemmed from my own shortcomings and inadequacy." Shim added, "I have spent this time in reflection and repentance, and I will continue to live with that attitude."

The Wonju performance was part of "The Shim Su-bong Show," a nationwide tour that has visited Paju, Busan, Seoul and Daejeon since August. It was the first solo concert Shim had taken the stage for since the controversy over the remarks about Kim Da-hyun erupted.

The controversy traces back to September. On Sept. 20, at the northern foot of Maisan in Jinan-gun, North Jeolla Province, Kim Da-hyun and Shim Su-bong performed back-to-back at the 10th Jinan Highland Trot Festival, held as part of the 2026 Jinan Red Ginseng Festival. After Kim finished a set that included "Chingan Gorae" and "Naega Lottoya" and left the stage, Shim completed two songs and then brought up the preceding performer. "She made my head spin," Shim said, adding, "She seems like a young woman who doesn't know what music is, or what life is." Shim also asked organizers not to schedule Kim in the slot immediately before her in the future.

Once video footage from the scene spread online, criticism poured in over Shim publicly belittling a junior artist more than 50 years her junior in front of an audience. Traffic surged to the point that Shim's official website went down for a period.

The following day, Shim issued a written apology through the agency, calling the remarks "a slip of the tongue, plain and simple." Shim acknowledged having been under severe stress from noise at the venue, but wrote, "I have no excuse whatsoever." Shim also explained that the preceding performer's identity had not been clear to Shim, and that the remarks were not intended to humiliate anyone in particular.

Shim also apologized directly to Kim Da-hyun and the family. In the written statement, Shim said that during a phone call, Kim's father mentioned that Kim had played piano and sung Shim's song "Baengmansongyi Jangmi" at a concert, and that the news had moved Shim to tears. Kim Da-hyun announced on social media the same day that the two had spoken by phone and that Shim had offered an apology, words of encouragement and comfort. Kim also reassured fans, saying not to worry and that the situation would be handled well.

From the Wonju stage, Shim conveyed a message directly to Kim Da-hyun: "I know it must have been very hard for you. I hope you pull yourself together and grow into a wonderful musician." Shim also told the audience, "Above all, I will hold deep in my heart the profound love of the fans and audience who came to my concert even amid all of this, and I will cherish it for a long, long time."