Have you heard? Rumors have been circulating that Kim Soo Hyun allegedly committed excessive power abuse while in Thailand. The so-called badminton controversy has been going viral, adding fuel to the already heated discussions involving the actor and his connection to the late actress Kim Sae Ron. But what really happened behind Kim Soo Hyun badminton controversy? Was he truly guilty of abusing his star power? Or is this yet another case of rumors spiraling out of control?
Let’s dive deep into the true story behind Kim Soo Hyun badminton controversy and separate fact from fiction.
Kim Soo Hyun Allegedly Abused Power to Play Badminton in Thailand
The controversy first emerged when an online user claimed that during Kim Soo Hyun’s 2014 fan meeting in Thailand, the actor ordered staff to tear down an already set-up event venue just so he could play badminton late at night.
According to this account, staff had to repeatedly dismantle and reassemble seating arrangements at Siam Paragon in Bangkok to accommodate his request.
Other online sources then followed this claim. They accused Kim Soo Hyun of not only disrupting the event’s setup but also personally contacting local staff at odd hours instead of going through his management.
As a result, these rumors portrayed the actor as a demanding celebrity who abused his power to event workers. They accused Kim Soo Hyun of prioritizing his personal interests over their well-being. All merely for a selfish badminton session.
Kim Soo Hyun Badminton Controversy Rumors: What Happened?
The resurfaced allegations gained traction when a social media user—who claimed to be an on-site staff member from 2014—stated that he and his colleagues had been forced to set up a makeshift badminton court inside the shopping mall.
The now-deleted post claimed that staff had to work overtime to meet Kim So Hyun’s request. And when they suggested booking an alternative court, the actor allegedly declined because of privacy issues.
“During Kim Soo Hyun’s fan meeting at Paragon Dome in Bangkok on March 30, 2014, the venue was fully set up with chairs and event materials. However, he unexpectedly requested to play badminton. The event coordinator attempted to secure a nearby court, but Kim declined, citing privacy concerns.
As a result, staff had to clear the pre-arranged setup and create a temporary badminton court using tape, even renting a net from a local facility. Kim played for about an hour before leaving to prepare for his event. Afterward, the staff had to restore the entire venue.
The main concern wasn’t that he played badminton, but that the request came at the last minute, causing extra work for the staff. Many in Thailand saw this as an abuse of his celebrity status, though the incident remained largely unknown in Korea. There is significant evidence supporting these claims.”
OP on Kim Soo Hyun’s badminton rumors.
Moreover, an old video of four unidentified men playing badminton in a hall—said to be inside Siam Paragon—began circulating online, further fueling the controversy.
Hold on The people pushing carts and walking back and forth? Those are my office staff. We had to wait for them to finish playing badminton before we could continue working. Worked till morning, booked a hotel just to shower, then went straight back to work without any sleep.
— Kwang4Siwan (@Kwang4Siwan) March 13, 2025pic.twitter.com/HDzaBwTK8Q
The video then resulted in a general perception that Kim Soo Hyun had taken advantage of his celebrity status to make unreasonable demands. And because of this controversy, the public believed that Kim Soo Hyun had disregarded the time and effort of event organizers.
But was that really the case?
True Story of What Actually Happened in Kim Soo Hyun Badminton Controversy
While the rumors painted Kim Soo Hyun as an entitled celebrity abusing his power, an exclusive report from The Korea Herald revealed a different reality.
The Korean Culture Alliance Thailand (KCA Thailand), the now-defunct event promoter responsible for Kim Soo Hyun’s 2014 fan meeting, confirmed that the actor did play badminton at the venue. However, they denied any claims of coercion or abuse of power.
According to a former official from KCA Thailand, it is true that Kim Soo Hyun played badminton inside Siam Paragon. Yet, there was no forceful demand to dismantle the venue setup. The official clarified that other online claims, including accusations of mistreatment toward staff, were also false and misleading.
Additionally, while the OP accused Kim Soo Hyun rejected an alternative badminton court due to privacy concerns, no solid evidence has been presented to confirm this claim. The viral post was also removed shortly after it gained attention. That is why it then raised further questions about the reliability of this information.
So, why did this story suddenly resurface? The badminton controversy emerged just as Kim Soo Hyun became embroiled in rumors linking him to the late actress Kim Sae Ron.
Therefore, with online speculation running rampant, old allegations—many of which were previously unknown to the Korean public—began making their rounds again.
Between Facts & Rumors – Don’t Be Too Quick to Judge
Finally, the Kim Soo Hyun badminton controversy is just a textbook example of how rumors can spiral out of control. And that is especially concerning when these rumors are closely linked to a larger scandal.
While the internet can be a powerful tool for exposing the truth, it can also distort reality. As a result, they turned baseless speculation into widely accepted “facts.”
Since last week, Kim Soo Hyun has been a target of scrutiny due to the dating issue with the late actress Kim Sae Ron. Indeed, it is crucial to hold celebrities accountable for their actions.
As for the badminton incident, there is no proof that Kim Soo Hyun abused his power. While he did play badminton at the venue, no credible source has confirmed that he forced staff into excessive work or mistreated anyone involved.
Therefore, as the K-pop and entertainment industry continues to evolve, cases like these serve as a reminder to be cautious about believing every trending headline. Because sometimes the real story is far different from what appears on social media.
Don’t you think so too? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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