Kim Soo-hyun Confirmed for Kaohsiung AAA, Sparking Online Backlash: Netizens Say 'Taiwan Is Not a Recycling Site' as Fans Fight Back

The 2026 Asia Artist Awards (AAA) will be held on December 5 and 6 at the Kaohsiung Arena, and today (1st), the organizers announced a new wave of performers, including South Korean star Kim Soo-hyun, Japanese 'Naniwa Danshi' member Shunsuke Michibata, and Korean actors Park Ji-hwan, Eun Won-seop, and Heo Sung-tae. Among them, Kim Soo-hyun's participation has drawn the most attention. The organizers have officially confirmed his attendance, though it remains unclear whether he will appear on December 5 or 6, with the exact date to be announced later.

However, the announcement of Kim Soo-hyun's participation immediately sparked heated debate across social media. AAA producer Moon Wan-sik revealed Kim's appearance on Threads, triggering instant controversy among netizens. (Image: Screenshot from Moon Wan-sik's IG @munwansik)

'Queen of Tears' Propels Kim Soo-hyun to New Heights, Making His Appearance the Top Topic

Kim Soo-hyun rose to fame across Asia with hit K-dramas such as 'Moon Embracing the Sun,' 'My Love from the Star,' and 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay.' His 2024 lead role in 'Queen of Tears' further solidified his popularity. However, in recent years, he has been embroiled in public controversy over the timeline of his relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron, with conflicting narratives and defenses still circulating.

Now that AAA has officially announced Kim Soo-hyun's visit to Taiwan, his name has quickly overshadowed the other newly announced performers, becoming the focal point of discussion on Taiwanese social media.

Alongside Kim Soo-hyun, Shunsuke Michibata is another high-profile addition to this lineup. A member of the Japanese boy group 'Naniwa Danshi,' he has also starred in 'The Kindaichi Case Files' and 'If You Only Knew How Much I Love You.' On the Korean acting front, Park Ji-hwan, known for his role as 'Jang I-soo' in the 'The Roundup' series, Eun Won-seop from 'Hot Blooded Priest,' and Heo Sung-tae, who played player No. 101 'Deok-su' in 'Squid Game,' further expand the star-studded roster of Japanese and Korean drama and film talent.

Kim Soo-hyun's Announcement Sparks Outrage: 'Taiwan Is Not a Dumping Ground'

Nonetheless, after the confirmation of Kim Soo-hyun's appearance, the Threads comment section was quickly flooded with negative reactions. Some users bluntly stated, 'Taiwan is not a garbage recycling site,' 'Now I have a reason not to go,' while others questioned why Kim, who has recently lacked new works, was chosen as a guest. Some even said they had planned to buy tickets but now intend to cancel their attendance.

On the other hand, Kim Soo-hyun's supporters have also flooded the comment section in defense. Excited fans wrote, 'Finally, Kim Soo-hyun is coming,' 'Welcome back, Soo-hyun,' 'Suddenly I want to go to AAA,' and emphasized that the controversy involves differing interpretations, arguing that he should not be condemned before all facts are clear. Judging from the social media response following the official announcement, Kim Soo-hyun's visit to Kaohsiung has already generated sharply divided opinions—support and opposition—even before his arrival. Which day he will ultimately appear and how Taiwanese audiences react on-site will undoubtedly become another major highlight of this year's AAA.