Just days after news of her split from longtime boyfriend Jung Kyung Ho shocked the Korean entertainment industry, Girls’ Generation member and actress Sooyoung has made her first public appearance, receiving warm support from fans and attendees alike.

On June 13, Sooyoung attended the 12th Together Marathon With the Visually Impaired, an annual charity event held at Peace Square. The event brings together participants to raise awareness and support programs benefiting visually impaired individuals.

Rather than addressing the recent headlines surrounding her personal life, Sooyoung focused entirely on the charitable cause that has long been close to her heart.

Dressed casually and wearing her hair in a ponytail, the singer-actress appeared in good spirits as she prepared to participate in the marathon. Many attendees were especially touched to see her accompanied by her father, who serves as chairman of the Movement To Eradicate Blindness.

The appearance highlighted a cause that has been deeply personal for Sooyoung and her family for many years.

Previously, Sooyoung revealed that her father has been living with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease, for more than 15 years. Since then, she has become one of the most visible public advocates for research into blindness prevention and treatment.

Her support has gone far beyond simply attending events. In 2023, Sooyoung donated approximately ₩300 million KRW to support research focused on treatments for blindness and hereditary retinal diseases. She has also served as an ambassador for numerous awareness campaigns connected to visual impairment.

At the marathon, Sooyoung participated alongside fellow supporters and runners, helping draw attention to the event’s fundraising efforts. Organizers confirmed that proceeds from the marathon would be directed toward programs supporting visually impaired individuals and related welfare initiatives.

Many fans praised the star for continuing her charitable work despite intense media attention surrounding her recent breakup.

The appearance comes less than a week after confirmation that Sooyoung and actor Jung Kyung Ho had ended their relationship.

The couple had been together since 2012 and publicly acknowledged their relationship in 2014. Over the years, they became one of South Korea’s most admired celebrity couples, frequently cited as an example of a stable and long-lasting relationship in the entertainment industry.

After dating for approximately fourteen years, representatives for Sooyoung confirmed on June 9 that the pair had recently broken up. The announcement quickly became one of the most discussed entertainment stories of the week, surprising fans who had long believed marriage might eventually be part of the couple’s future.

The breakup also sparked broader discussions online about relationships, marriage expectations, and the pressure often placed on public figures. Many fans criticized speculation and blame directed at either party, arguing that the end of a relationship should not automatically lead to assumptions about fault or failure.

Against that backdrop, Sooyoung’s decision to focus on charity work rather than public commentary was widely praised.

Photos from the event showed her smiling and interacting with participants, reinforcing the impression that she remains committed to causes she has supported for years regardless of personal circumstances.

While public interest in her breakup remains high, many supporters hope attention will also be given to the reason she attended the event in the first place: raising awareness and funding for visually impaired individuals and ongoing medical research.

For now, Sooyoung appears determined to keep her focus on meaningful work, family, and the charitable efforts that have become an important part of her public life.

As one chapter of her personal story closes, fans continue to support her both as an artist and as an advocate whose contributions extend far beyond the entertainment industry.