Veteran singer Shim Soo-bong, 71, has issued an apology for remarking that a "young lady who doesn't quite know what singing is made my head spin," to which 17-year-old singer Kim Da-hyun responded maturely by saying she would steady her mind.

On September 21, Kim Da-hyun posted on her Instagram, "Hello, this is Kim Da-hyun. I spoke directly with teacher Shim Soo-bong, who offered her personal apologies and warm comfort." She added, "Fans, you must have been upset and worried because of this incident. Don't worry, as I will steady my mind, and let's meet with bright faces. Thank you."

Previously, on September 20, Shim Soo-bong sparked controversy during her performance at the 10th Jinan Highland Trot Festival held in Jinan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, with comments targeting Kim Da-hyun, who performed right before her.

Addressing the audience, Shim Soo-bong publicly lectured, "The young girl who sang just before me made my head spin. She seems like a young lady who doesn't yet know what singing or life is. Listening to her sing made it so hard for me. Please do not put that contestant (Kim Da-hyun) on stage before me anymore in the future."

As a video of the remarks spread online, critical public opinion grew. Pointing out that it was inappropriate to make harsh, public remarks against a junior singer who is still a minor born in 2009, criticism continued. In particular, backlash followed regarding terms like "young girl," "young lady," and "contestant" used to refer to Kim Da-hyun. As the controversy escalated, surging traffic temporarily crashed Shim Soo-bong's official website.

As the controversy grew, Shim Soo-bong issued an official apology through her agency on September 21.

Bowing her head, she stated, "It was literally a slip of the tongue. I have nothing to say, even with ten mouths, for uttering words beyond common sense at an inappropriate moment during a trot festival where everyone should have been laughing and enjoying themselves. I didn't know exactly who the preceding singer was, and it was certainly not intended to put anyone to shame. As an adult, I was clearly in the wrong for saying things that hurt a junior singer's feelings."

Shim Soo-bong also revealed that she shared direct words of apology with Kim Da-hyun and her family.

She repeatedly stated, "When Kim Da-hyun's father told me that she played the piano and sang 'Million Roses' at her concert, I thought about how much she must have practiced, and my eyes welled up with tears. I offer my deep regret and apologies to Kim Da-hyun, her fan club, and all the officials who worked hard for the event. I sincerely apologize to the many attendees who came to watch the performance on the day of the trot festival. I ask for your forgiveness with generous hearts."

Meanwhile, Shim Soo-bong and Kim Da-hyun have previously appeared together on the same broadcasts on multiple occasions. Kim Da-hyun appeared on MBN's "The King of Active Singers" in 2023, where Shim Soo-bong participated as a special master and judged Kim's performance, and both appeared side by side on SBS FiL and SBS M's "The Trot Show" in December of the same year.

(Photo: Yonhap News) (Reported by Kang Kyung-yoon)