Famous Veteran Singer Faces Immense Backlash For Publicly Criticizing A 17-Year-Old Trot Singer

Veteran singer Shim Soo Bong (71) is facing a strong backlash after it was revealed that she publicly criticized junior singer Kim Da Hyun (17). Rather than offering warm advice as a veteran, critics say she embarrassed a young junior in front of a large audience in what’s being called “authoritarian rudeness.”

Shim Soo Bong took the stage at the 10th Jinan Gowon Trot Festival, held in Jinan County, North Jeolla Province, on September 20, and made pointed remarks aimed at Kim Da Hyun, who had performed just before her.

After performing two of her hit songs, Shim Soo Bong opened by saying, “I’m dizzy because of the woman who sang before me. She’s made my head spin right now.” She then continued, “Is her manager here by any chance? She seems like a young lady who doesn’t know what singing is or what life is. Listening to her sing was so difficult for me that I’m bringing it up in front of all of you.”

She went even further, adding, “Please don’t send that player out in front of me again. I feel dizzy right now, like I’m about to collapse,” appearing to suggest that Kim Da Hyun’s appearance itself should be blocked. She continued, “Singing isn’t something you do carelessly like that. You need life experience, you need to have suffered…” before further criticizing the young singer’s performance.

Footage of the moment later spread across online communities, drawing intense criticism toward Shim Soo Bong. Many pointed out that the remarks, directed at a junior singer who is only 17 and could be her great-granddaughter’s age, were highly inappropriate for a public setting.

Criticism has been especially pointed given Kim Da Hyun’s background. She is the daughter of “Cheonghakdong Hunjang” Kim Bong Gon, and has already proven herself through audition programs, finishing as runner-up on MBN’s “Boys Trot” and placing third on both TV Chosun’s “Miss Trot 2” and MBN’s “Hyeonyeokgawang.” Many have said Shim Soo Bong’s comments are hard to understand given that Kim Da Hyun’s skill has already been recognized by the public and industry professionals alike.

Most netizens agree that Shim Soo Bong’s behavior went beyond senior advice and amounted to clear rudeness and an authoritarian attitude. Critics note that musical interpretation and expression can vary from singer to singer, and that absolutizing her own subjective standards to embarrass a junior in front of a large public audience is the biggest issue. Many also pointed out that the setting was neither a private conversation nor an audition judging panel, making it inappropriate to use diminishing terms like “young lady” and “player” to describe a fellow singer, and calling it “the worst” to publicly humiliate another singer in front of an audience.

Alongside the criticism, many have voiced concern and support for Kim Da Hyun, with comments including, “I’m worried about how much young Kim Da Hyun must have been hurt,” “Da Hyun is already singing more than well enough, don’t let it get to you and keep singing,” and “Kim Da Hyun’s stage was perfect, please keep singing a lot more.”

Source: (A)