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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Hallyuwood devider Kim Soo-hyun breaks silence after YouTuber's arrest, police clearance

Kim Soo-hyun breaks silence after YouTuber's arrest, police clearance

Published May 27, 2026 08:39 am  |  Updated May 27, 2026 04:13 pm
(From left) Kim Soo-hyun, YouTuber Kim Se-ui and Kim Sae-ron (Photos from Instagram, screenshot from HoverLab video on YouTube)
(From left) Kim Soo-hyun, YouTuber Kim Se-ui and Kim Sae-ron (Photos from Instagram, screenshot from HoverLab video on YouTube)

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has broken his silence following the arrest of YouTuber Kim Se-ui and the police investigation that cleared him of allegations involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron.

Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, released a statement on May 26 after the Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant against Kim Se-ui, head of the YouTube channel HoverLab (also known as Garosero Research Institute).

Presiding Judge Bu Dong-sik approved the warrant after a pre-arrest interrogation, citing concerns that Kim Se-ui could destroy evidence or flee. He is facing allegations of defamation and violations of South Korea’s sexual crimes law.

Kim Se-ui had uploaded several videos since last year alleging that Kim Soo-hyun dated Kim Sae-ron when she was still a minor. The controversy prompted the actor to halt activities following Kim Sae-ron’s death in February 2025.

Kim Soo-hyun (Instagram)
Kim Soo-hyun (Instagram)
Kim Se-ui (Screenshot from HoverLab video on YouTube)_
Kim Se-ui (Screenshot from HoverLab video on YouTube)_
Kim Sae-ron (Instagram)
Kim Sae-ron (Instagram)

In its statement, Gold Medalist said the investigation found the allegations and evidence presented against Kim Soo-hyun to be false.

“As a result of the investigation, it has been confirmed that the various allegations and evidence raised by Garo Sero Institute against Mr. Kim Soo-hyun are untrue,” the agency said.

The agency added that KakaoTalk messages presented during a press conference were determined to be fabricated and that audio allegedly involving Kim Sae-ron was found to have been manipulated using artificial intelligence technology.

Gold Medalist also said the court recognized the seriousness of the case, which includes alleged violations involving defamation, stalking crimes, illegal distribution of footage, coercion, and intimidation.

The agency said the outcome fulfilled Kim Soo-hyun’s earlier promise to clear his name.

“At a press conference one year ago, Mr. Kim Soo-hyun promised, ‘I will not ask you to believe me. I will definitely prove it,’” the statement read.

“The past year has been a time for Mr. Kim Soo-hyun to keep that promise. Finally, through legal procedures and a thorough investigation, the truth has been proven,” it added.

Last year, Kim Soo-hyun admitted that he had dated Kim Sae-ron but maintained that their relationship began only after she became an adult.

Kim Sae-ron was found dead on Feb. 16, 2025, which coincided with Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday.

A court is expected to further deliberate on the complaints and accusations filed by Kim Soo-hyun and Gold Medalist against Kim Se-ui.

Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron (HoverLab)
Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron (HoverLab)

Related Tags

Kim Soo-hyun Kim Sae-ron Kim Se-ui
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