According to News1 on May 21, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has accused Kim Se Ui of violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act and the Information and Communications Network Act. Investigations revealed Kim Se Ui engaged in defamation and damaging others' reputations. The court will announce whether to issue an arrest warrant for Kim Se Ui at a hearing on May 26.

Actor Kim Soo Hyun in his most recent appearance, 2025. Photo: Yonhap News

Police stated that Kim Se Ui posted unverified content on a YouTube channel, including claims that Kim Soo Hyun dated Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor, and that Kim Sae Ron committed suicide "due to pressure from Kim Soo Hyun regarding debt". Investigators accuse Kim Se Ui of using AI technology to simulate Kim Sae Ron's voice, creating and distributing a fake recording to damage Kim Soo Hyun's reputation. Police believe Kim Se Ui's actions led to severe consequences, including collapsing Kim Soo Hyun's reputation, damaging his economic activities and career, and requiring the actor to undergo psychological treatment.

The scandal involving Kim Soo Hyun began in early 2025, when the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, operated by Kim Se Ui, quoted relatives of the late actress Kim Sae Ron. They accused the actor of dating Sae Ron when she was a minor. According to Kim Sae Ron's family, Kim Soo Hyun was "heartless", demanding debt from Sae Ron and pushing her to the brink. Sae Ron passed away on 16/2, with police concluding she "made an extreme choice".

Kim Soo Hyun's representatives have repeatedly denied these allegations. The actor stated he did not date Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor, nor did he toy with her affections or pressure her to repay debt. At a press conference in late March 2025, the actor said, "The deceased and I once dated like any other couple, and we had a good relationship. However, after we broke up, we no longer communicated regularly; it's very awkward to communicate after a breakup".

YouTuber Kim Se Ui. Photo: News1

According to Kim Soo Hyun's side, Kim Sae Ron's relatives and the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute edited messages and spread false information. They allegedly intimidated him, forcing him to admit to things that were untrue. The actor stated, "I'm not lying; I cannot admit to something I didn't do". The actor revealed he was living in "hellish torment". He feared what new defamatory news the Garo Sero Institute would post daily. Soo Hyun appealed for people to listen to him, "just once".

Kim Soo Hyun has filed a lawsuit against Kim Sae Ron's family and the owner of the Garo Sero Institute, demanding a total compensation of 12 billion won (8.1 million USD). Since the scandal erupted, Kim Soo Hyun has lost six advertising contracts. His image was also cut from the TV show Good Day. For over one year, the actor has not made public appearances.

Soo Hyun has been active in the entertainment industry for 19 years, becoming an ideal boyfriend figure for many girls through his roles in 'Dream High', 'Moon Embracing the Sun', 'My Love from the Star', 'The Thieves', 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay', and 'Queen of Tears'. The actor is considered a guaranteed success factor for TV drama projects.

By Nhu Anh (according to News1, MK)