Kim Soo Hyun is finding himself at the center of an unexpected global meme storm—one eerily predicted by his own K-drama juggernaut.
A clip from SBS’s megahit My Love from the Star has resurfaced online with uncanny parallels to the actor’s recent tearful press conference. Netizens have pointed out that a particular scene from the series plays out like a “blueprint” for Kim’s real-life appearance, sparking a viral storm and a fresh wave of online ridicule.
The now-iconic scene features top star Cheon Song Yi (Jun Ji Hyun) being coached by her bestie (Hong Jin Kyung) on how to deliver the perfect press conference: “Look as sad and innocent as possible. Gaze 15 degrees downward. Look like you’re about to cry at any moment. Dress head-to-toe in black. Never cry. Then, you let it all out in the last five minutes. Boom.”
The uncanny similarity between this scripted moment and Kim Soo Hyun’s real-life apology presser on March 31st has turned the drama clip into a viral “narration” for the real event.
The phrase “Gaze 15 degrees downward” has already taken off as a meme, particularly in China. A quick search on local platforms reveals an avalanche of posts and edits connecting the drama to the press conference.
My Love from the Star, which aired in 2014, remained one of the most beloved Korean dramas in Chinese-speaking regions, especially before the onset of the Hallyu ban. Kim Soo Hyun was elevated to near-mythic status at the time—his popularity so immense that spending a day with only Kim-endorsed products was entirely possible in China.
Meanwhile, Kim Soo Hyun’s recent controversy surrounding his alleged past involvement with the late Kim Sae Ron continues to cast a long shadow, despite the actor’s public apology. Shortly after the press conference, Kim’s camp filed a defamation lawsuit against the YouTube channel Hoverlab, known for voicing the bereaved family’s side. They are seeking 12 billion KRW (approx. 8.2 million USD) in damages for reputation harm and emotional distress.
Source (1)
