Kim Bong Gon: If it were a competition, Kim Da Hyun would have accepted Sim Soo Bong's advice

Kim Bong Gon, the father of singer Kim Da Hyun, expressed his distress regarding the situation where his daughter burst into tears following public musical criticism from Sim Soo Bong. While the controversy is settling down as Sim Soo Bong later offered a direct apology, the incident has been difficult for Kim Da Hyun's family to dismiss as a mere happening. The family's concern grew as Kim Da Hyun, who has been exposed to malicious comments and evaluations through various competition programs since childhood, once again found herself at the center of public criticism.

According to Kim Bong Gon, Kim Da Hyun was monitoring her own performance while traveling after completing her set at the Jinan Highlands Trot Festival in Jinan, North Jeolla Province, on the 20th, when she encountered Sim Soo Bong's remarks. In an interview with a media outlet, Kim Bong Gon stated, "Dahyun was monitoring her stage while moving after finishing the event, and she discovered the remarks. She held it in and then burst into tears. She seems to be quite upset."

The controversy began when Sim Soo Bong publicly mentioned Kim Da Hyun, who had performed just before her. Sim Soo Bong specifically referred to her as "the woman who sang before me," expressing strong discomfort with the performance by stating, "She made my head spin." She continued, "It seems like a young lady who doesn't know what singing is, or what life is," adding, "It was very difficult to listen to the song."

The intensity of the remarks continued. Sim Soo Bong said, "Please do not send the players out in front of me," and added, "I feel so dizzy I might collapse," while pointing out, "Singing is not something to be done carelessly." She further noted, "Music that consoles those who have experienced life and hardships is not easy." Even considering the context of a senior singer's evaluation of music, the controversy grew because she singled out a junior singer on a public stage in front of many spectators.

The point Kim Bong Gon specifically raised was that the stage was not a competition program or an audition. "A festival stage is not a competition, is it? If it were a competition, she would have humbly accepted even harsh criticism," he said. "I was shocked because the remarks were so sudden and out of nowhere." He added, "While there may be things to take to heart, they were not things that should have been said in a formal setting."

This reaction is rooted in his daughter's past experiences. According to Kim Bong Gon, Kim Da Hyun has been exposed to both public evaluation and malicious comments since her childhood through various competition programs such as Voice Trot and Miss Trot. Being exposed to a broadcasting environment where competition and evaluation are repetitive at a young age meant that some comments went beyond simple criticism and acted as a psychological burden.

Kim Bong Gon revealed that his daughter would sometimes tremble or cry while reading malicious comments. He shared that there was a period when she repeatedly bit her nails after encountering severe comments, leaving her with almost no nails for three to four months. He added that the family even tried to prevent Kim Da Hyun from reading comments. From a parent's perspective, this incident was particularly sensitive because it could trigger past memories rather than being a one-time musical evaluation.

In an interview with Maeil Shinmun on the 23rd, Kim Bong Gon said, "She is still feeling a bit down. She wants to be alone in her room." However, it has been a source of comfort that many voices have come forward to support Kim Da Hyun following the controversy. While encouragement from fans continues, the family's hearts remain uneasy as some malicious comments have also emerged.

This situation leaves behind questions regarding how a veteran singer can evaluate a junior's performance, and the manner and space in which such evaluations should be delivered. There is no single answer in music, especially in a genre like trot, where personality, interpretation, and stage experience are evaluated alongside vocal ability, leading to differing opinions based on generation and taste. While a senior singer's advice or criticism can serve as motivation for a junior, the method of directly naming a specific junior in a public setting can cause separate repercussions.

Sim Soo Bong apologized directly to Kim Da Hyun after the controversy erupted. She moved to resolve the situation by acknowledging that her remarks could have hurt the junior singer contrary to her intentions. The conflict appears to be winding down as Kim Da Hyun revealed she received the apology through direct conversation and felt comforted and encouraged. Kim Bong Gon also did not deny that there might be parts of the criticism that his daughter should take to heart.

However, what Kim Bong Gon emphasized until the end was the need to distinguish between the "content of criticism" and the "method of criticism." A cold evaluation of a performance is not the same as public humiliation, and if it is advice for a junior's growth, a more cautious method of delivery is required. Especially for a singer who stands before the public at a young age, a single comment can be perceived as a personal stigma rather than musical advice.

Kim Da Hyun is a singer who has grown while enduring the stage, competition, and public evaluation since she was young. While this incident may remain another burden for her, it also serves as a case that makes one reflect on how seniors and juniors should respect and communicate musical differences. Ultimately, resolving the controversy seems to require the principle that criticism of music and respect for people must be maintained on different levels, rather than deciding who is right.