Actor Kim Soo-hyun has notably been excluded from the most recent teaser of MBC’s Good Day, amidst developing dating allegations related to the late actress Kim Sae-ron. The 40-second preview for episode 6 was shared on the YouTube channel TEO (@TEO_universe) on March 25, featuring various cast members in a lively quiz segment.
This teaser included appearances by notable figures such as Defconn, Hong Jin-kyung, Jung Hyung-don, Kwanghee, Hoshi, Code Kunst, and Jung Hae-in. One of the memorable moments featured G-Dragon attempting to recreate aespa’s Whiplash choreography, awkwardly apologizing to the girl group for his efforts.
However, the absence of Kim Soo-hyun has fueled speculation regarding the production team’s response to the ongoing controversy surrounding him.
In the prior episode, he was depicted as part of the “88 line”alongside other celebrities like Jung Hae-in, Kwanghee, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Im Si-wan. His omission in the latest promotional material follows the production team’s statement addressing public outrage linked to his alleged past relationship with Kim Sae-ron, who was a minor at the time.
Episode 6 of Good Day is set to air at 8 PM KST.
Controversy Surrounding Kim Soo-hyun Leads to Adjustments in Good Day Following Delay of Knock-Off
Good Day, a music variety show exploring the creative process behind crafting a hit song, first premiered on February 16, 2025, on MBC and Disney Plus. Leading the program is BIGBANG’s G-Dragon, who assumes the role of producer, alongside artists from diverse backgrounds.
The inaugural episode showcased a dynamic lineup of guests, including Kim Soo-hyun, producer Code Kunst, webtoon artist Kian84, and comedians Jo Sae-ho, Jung Hyung-don, and Defconn, hinting at an exciting musical adventure.
Following the emergence of Kim’s controversy, the production team declared plans to significantly reduce his appearance in the series and to discard footage recorded on March 13. They chose to postpone the airing by one week to refine the content, striving to uphold the show’s initial vision, respect the cast’s integrity, and cater to viewer preferences.
This strategic decision has elicited mixed responses, with some audiences expressing a desire to see Kim’s segments while others applauded the edits and his exclusion.
Numerous netizens commended the production team’s editing initiatives, recognizing the complexities surrounding this situation.
Previously, on March 16, 2025, Good Day faced backlash for allowing Kim Soo-hyun to appear despite previously planning to excise his scenes due to the ongoing controversy.
In response to the criticism, the production team released an official statement on March 17 via social media, apologizing to viewers and indicating that they had re-edited the episode to minimize Kim Soo-hyun’s presence as much as possible. They articulated concerns about the controversy overshadowing the show’s intended message and the efforts of the cast.
The statement indicated that the March 16 broadcast resulted in a shorter runtime due to the last-minute edits, which led to a disruption in the episode’s flow. According to The Korea Times, the team stated:
“The broadcast ended up being about 10 minutes shorter after removing his scenes, resulting in some gaps in the flow.”
For those unfamiliar with the situation, the allegations surrounding Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron’s family have intensified recently. This case gained traction following Kim Sae-ron’s passing on February 16, 2025, prompting a surge of allegations, legal battles, and media scrutiny.
On March 10, tensions heightened after Kim Sae-ron’s aunt appeared on the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute, asserting that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron were in a romantic relationship allegedly beginning when she was just 15 and he was 27.
The aunt also alleged that Gold Medalist, Kim’s agency, initially compensated 700 million KRW concerning damages from Sae-ron’s DUI case in 2022, but later sought reimbursement through legal avenues in 2024. The family suggested that this financial strain contributed to Sae-ron’s mental distress prior to her death.
Additionally, Garo Sero Research Institute shared several photos believed to show Kim Soo-hyun, including one of him shirtless doing chores in Kim Sae-ron’s household. This released content sparked intense discussions online, with allegations of grooming gaining traction across social media platforms.
In their defense, Gold Medalist confirmed the existence of a relationship between the two but emphasized that it commenced in 2019, once Kim Sae-ron reached adulthood, firmly refuting claims of an underage involvement.
On March 17, Kim Sae-ron’s family initiated legal proceedings against a YouTuber who accused their relative of fabricating details concerning her relationship with the actor, also seeking a public apology from Kim Soo-hyun’s camp for the alleged reputational damage.
The situation escalated further on March 20, when Gold Medalist announced their intention to take legal action against the Garo Sero Institute and members of the Sae-ron family. They accused these parties of contravening the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes by disclosing private materials without consent, promising to seek stringent legal remedies for the serious invasion of privacy.
In light of the ongoing controversy, Disney+ has decided to delay the release of Kim Soo-hyun’s anticipated drama Knock-Off, which was initially slated for April. As developments continue to unfold, attention remains focused on how this complex situation will evolve in the days to come.