The long and deeply controversial scandal involving Kim Soo Hyun, the late Kim Sae-ron, and YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute has now taken a dramatic legal turn in South Korea. According to reports, prosecutors from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office have officially requested an arrest warrant for Hoverlab chief Kim Se Eui following a months-long investigation into allegations made against the actor. The case had exploded across Korean media after claims surfaced suggesting Kim Soo Hyun had dated Kim Sae Ron while she was still a minor — accusations that police now reportedly say were completely fabricated.
The scandal became one of the biggest entertainment controversies in South Korea after Kim Sae Ron’s tragic death in February 2025. Soon after her passing, Hoverlab and legal representatives associated with her family publicly alleged that the actress had been romantically involved with Kim Soo Hyun since she was only 15 years old. Throughout the controversy, Kim Soo Hyun’s side consistently denied those accusations and maintained that the two only briefly dated between 2019 and 2020, after she had already reached legal adulthood.
Now, after extensive forensic investigations, authorities reportedly believe the evidence presented publicly against the actor was intentionally manipulated. The investigation was handled by a digital forensics team from Seoul’s Gangnam Police Station, which spent months tracing files, metadata, and digital records connected to the allegations. Investigators reportedly concluded that the YouTube channel knowingly spread false information to damage Kim Soo Hyun’s reputation and generate online traffic, views, and revenue.
Police Say KakaoTalk Messages And Audio Clips Were Fabricated
One of the biggest claims pushed during the scandal involved alleged 2016 KakaoTalk messages supposedly exchanged between Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron. Those screenshots spread heavily online and became central to public speculation surrounding the actor. However, according to forensic analysis cited in reports, investigators discovered that the original conversations actually involved Kim Sae Ron and another unidentified individual entirely. Authorities reportedly believe the files were deliberately edited before publication, replacing the anonymous contact’s name with Kim Soo Hyun in order to create a false digital trail.
Another major piece of “evidence” reportedly involved an audio recording presented publicly during a press conference in 2025. Hoverlab and attorney Boo Ji Seok claimed the voice clip featured Kim Sae Ron discussing a relationship with the actor during middle school. Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team immediately rejected the recording and described it as fake. While early forensic reviews struggled because of poor audio quality, later analysis reportedly concluded that the file had been generated using advanced AI voice-cloning technology. That revelation seriously escalated the case because it suggested artificial intelligence may have been used deliberately to manufacture evidence against the actor.
The legal situation has now widened beyond online defamation alone. Prosecutors are reportedly also pursuing charges related to the illegal distribution of private media and alleged threats involving sensitive materials. Attorney Boo Ji Seok, who initially represented Kim Sae Ron’s family publicly, has also reportedly been booked as a suspected accomplice in the investigation. Authorities believe he may have gone beyond standard legal representation and actively participated in organizing or distributing manipulated evidence.
Kim Soo Hyun’s Career Was Hit Hard By The Controversy
Before the allegations surfaced, Kim Soo Hyun was widely considered one of South Korea’s biggest and highest-paid stars, especially after the huge success of Queen of Tears. But once the controversy exploded online, his career reportedly took a severe hit almost immediately. Brand endorsements disappeared, acting projects stalled, and the actor became the center of nonstop public scrutiny across Korean media. Last year, Kim Soo Hyun even held an emotional press conference where he denied the accusations while breaking down in tears in front of reporters.
Authorities reportedly stated in court documents that Hoverlab’s repeated broadcasts destroyed the actor’s social standing and severely damaged his professional and financial life. Reports also claim Kim Soo Hyun is currently receiving psychiatric treatment because of the emotional toll caused by the scandal. Meanwhile, Hoverlab CEO Kim Se Eui continues denying wrongdoing and recently claimed during a livestream that the arrest warrant is an attempt to silence his reporting rather than a legitimate criminal case.
A judge at the Seoul Central District Court is expected to review the arrest warrant request on May 26, 2026, which will determine whether Kim Se Eui is formally detained while the investigation continues.
