YouTube Channel Garosero Research Institute Operator Kim Se Ui Arrested On Charges Of Repeatedly Spreading False Allegations Against Kim Soo Hyun
YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute operator Kim Se Ui has ultimately been arrested on charges of repeatedly spreading false allegations about actor Kim Soo Hyun and damaging his reputation.
On May 26, Senior Judge Boo Dong Sik of the Seoul Central District Court conducted a pre-arrest interrogation for Kim Se Ui before issuing an arrest warrant.
The court explained the reason for the warrant, stating there were concerns that he could destroy evidence or flee.
Kim Se Ui is accused not only of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, but also of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, including charges related to the distribution of illegally filmed material. Additional allegations of threats and attempted coercion have also been added, leading to a broader criminal investigation by authorities.
Previously, the Seoul Gangnam Police Station requested an arrest warrant for Kim Se Ui, which prosecutors later formally filed with the court. Police reportedly concluded that he repeatedly spread false information related to Kim Soo Hyun for financial gain, including YouTube revenue.
During the investigation, authorities also reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that some KakaoTalk conversation screenshots provided by the family of the late actress Kim Sae Ron had been edited and manipulated. Police believe a total of seven sections were altered, including changing a chat participant originally labeled “Unknown” to “Kim Soo Hyun.”
In addition, investigators reportedly determined that an audio recording of Kim Sae Ron released during a press conference last year may have been manipulated using generative AI technology.
Police are also said to believe that Kim Se Ui clearly knew the allegations claiming Kim Soo Hyun dated Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor were false, and that Kim Sae Ron’s death was unrelated to Kim Soo Hyun, yet still spread the claims with malicious intent.
However, Kim Se Ui strongly denied all allegations against him. After completing the court hearing, he told reporters waiting outside, “The arrest warrant request is nothing more than a ridiculous document filled with false information,” adding that he “does not acknowledge any of the charges.”
Regarding the controversial audio recording, he also argued, “The National Forensic Service said it was impossible to determine whether it was AI-generated,” and claimed that relying solely on analysis from a private company hired by Kim Soo Hyun’s side was unreasonable.
Source: A
