MBC to minimize Kim Soo-hyun's scenes from 'Good Day' amid underage dating allegations

▲ This Yonhap file photo shows South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

   SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- MBC said Monday it will edit out actor Kim Soo-hyun's scenes from its variety show "Good Day" as much as possible amid an ongoing controversy over his underage dating allegations.

   The "Queen of Tears" star has been under intense scrutiny since March 10, when a YouTube channel first raised the allegations that he dated late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor.

   "We are well aware of the seriousness of the controversy and have been closely monitoring viewer responses" it said, adding it will cut out Kim's screens "as much as possible."

   The network said the decision was aimed at preventing any misunderstanding regarding the program's intent and to maintain audience trust.

   Kim is a cast member of the music production show hosted by K-pop icon G-Dragon. Despite the ongoing scandal, Kim is said to have participated in filming last Thursday. MBC said it was awaiting an official response from his agency before making any further decisions on the matter.

   On Friday, Kim's agency, Gold Medalist, acknowledged the two were in a romantic relationship for about a year but claimed that she was already an adult at that time.

   The show's fifth episode, which aired Sunday, largely excluded Kim's footage, though he remained visible in the group photo of the cast.

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