Singer Shim Su-bong. [The Herald Business DB]
Singer Shim Su-bong. [The Herald Business DB]

Singer Shim Su-bong, 71, is facing renewed controversy after eyewitness accounts resurfaced claiming she made disparaging remarks about fellow singer Jung Mi-ae, 44, at a past concert — coming on the heels of a public apology Shim issued after openly criticizing her junior Kim Da-hyun, who is 17 years younger.

Posts circulating on online communities and SNS claim that Shim, at a performance held in Daegu several years ago, said of Jung's stage appearance: "Is that person also a singer?"

The person who posted the account said Jung had performed before Shim and warmed up the crowd, after which Shim took the stage and, while referring to Jung, reportedly said she did not want a singer with a loud voice placed immediately before her in the lineup.

At least one other online user said they had attended the same concert and offered a similar account.

However, it has not been confirmed whether Shim actually made such remarks or what the precise circumstances were at the time.

The old eyewitness accounts appear to be drawing renewed attention in the wake of the recent controversy involving Kim Da-hyun.

At the 10th Jinan Highland Trot Music Festival held in Jinan-gun, North Jeolla Province, on Sunday, Shim commented on Kim, who had performed just before her, saying, "She seems like a young lady who doesn't know what singing is, or what life is," and added, "Please don't put that performer in front of me."

She went on to say, "Singing is not something you do so carelessly."

Shim Su-bong and Kim Da-hyun [Online community]
Shim Su-bong and Kim Da-hyun [Online community]

The remarks drew a wave of criticism, with many saying it was inappropriate for Shim, 71, to publicly evaluate a junior colleague 54 years her younger in front of a large audience.

Shim ultimately apologized through her agency on Monday, saying she had "quite literally misspoken."

"I did not know exactly who the singer performing before me was, and I absolutely did not say it to embarrass any particular person," she said. "It was clearly wrong of me, as a senior, to say something that would hurt a younger singer's feelings."

Kim Da-hyun subsequently said, "Teacher Shim Su-bong personally offered an apology and also gave me warm words of encouragement and comfort. I will take good care of my heart, so please don't worry — let's meet again with bright smiles."

Shim made her debut in 1978 at the College Song Festival, performing her self-composed song "Geuttae Geu Saram" ("That Person Back Then"). She went on to cement her status as one of South Korea's most iconic singers with a string of hits including "Men Are Ships, Women Are Harbors," "I Know Nothing But Love" and "A Million Roses."

On Oct. 26, 1979, Shim was performing beside then-President Park Chung-hee at a private dinner in Gunjeong-dong when Kim Jae-gyu shot and killed Park — a moment she witnessed firsthand.

Shim has recently been at the center of health speculation, with reports emerging that she suffers from misophonia.

Misophonia is a condition in which a person experiences intense negative emotions — including disgust, anger and anxiety — in response to specific sounds or frequencies, regardless of volume. Beyond simple sensitivity, it is characterized by a compulsion to avoid situations that trigger those sounds altogether.


yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com