Amid growing controversy after veteran singer Shim Soobong (71) publicly criticized junior singer Kim Dahyun (17), Kim Dahyun's father, scholar Kim Bonggon, shared his heartache, revealing that his daughter shed tears in deep shock.

According to an OSEN report on the 21st, Kim Bonggon stated, "Dahyun was monitoring through a live broadcast and heard the teacher's words firsthand." He added, "Since it was a teacher she truly loves and respects, hearing such unexpected remarks came like a lightning bolt, leaving her utterly bewildered and in shock." He continued, "She cried her eyes out. Seeing that, my wife and I felt truly heartbroken."

Kim Bonggon also revealed that he received an apology from Shim Soobong's side. Through the media outlet, Kim Bonggon said, "A representative contacted me, saying they want to apologize in some form to the audience members at the scene, Dahyun's fans, and Dahyun herself. They apologized, admitting that it was a 100% inappropriate expression."

Previously, during the "Jinan Plateau Trot Festival" held in Jinan-gun, North Jeolla Province, on the 20th, Shim Soobong took direct aim at Kim Dahyun, remarking, "The young lady who sang right before me gave me a headache." She continued with sharp criticism, stating, "Being a young lady, she doesn't seem to know what music is or what life is. Listening to her singing was so exhausting." Shim Soobong went as far as to explicitly request, "Please don't put such a performer on stage right before me again," publicly disparaging the 17-year-old junior's performance.

As the controversy escalated beyond control, Shim Soobong's side issued an official apology just a day later on the 21st.

Shim Soobong's representatives reached out directly to Kim Dahyun and her family, bowing their heads in remorse and stating, "The remarks at the time were a clear, beyond-the-pale slip of the tongue, and we have nothing to say even with ten mouths."