MBC investigative journalism program Straight recently took a closer look at the unusual profit structure behind YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, operated by YouTuber Kim Se Ui.
In the June 14 broadcast, YouTuber Eun Hyun Jang, who became the major shareholder after purchasing a 50% stake in Garo Sero Institute, appeared on the program to discuss the channel’s revenue trends and financial flow.
According to the broadcast, Garo Sero Institute saw explosive growth after launching in July 2018. Its annual revenue reportedly jumped from KRW 1.76 billion in 2019 to KRW 4.35 billion in 2020, more than doubling within a year. During this period, the channel also reportedly ranked No. 1 worldwide in YouTube Super Chat donations.
The channel has faced multiple legal setbacks over the years. In 2019, it was ordered to pay KRW 45 million in damages for spreading false information about former Justice Minister Cho Kuk. In 2021, it was also ordered to pay KRW 10 million after raising prostitution allegations against former lawmaker Song Young Gil.
The Straight production team argued that such compensation amounts had little impact on a channel generating revenues worth billions of won. According to the report, after its main sources of income including ad revenue from views and Super Chat donations were restricted, Garo Sero Institute allegedly turned to direct donations through personal bank accounts and more overt product placements.
Speaking during the program, Eun Hyun Jang claimed that the channel had become increasingly aggressive in monetization efforts over the past one to two years. He remarked, “Kim Se Ui used to criticize people as scammers whenever they talked about cryptocurrency on broadcasts, but when he himself started promoting coin advertisements, many people felt he had completely hit rock bottom.”
During legal proceedings related to actor Kim Soo Hyun’s damages lawsuit, Kim Se Ui’s personal real estate assets reportedly came under scrutiny. Reports claim he owns apartments in Seoul’s upscale neighborhoods, including Apgujeong and Seocho, with an estimated combined value exceeding KRW 10 billion.
Earlier, on June 5, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency announced that Kim Se Ui, the head of YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, had been referred to prosecutors under detention on charges including defamation and violations of anti-stalking laws related to the spread of false information about the actor.
Police reportedly concluded that Kim Se Ui manipulated certain conversations through AI-generated voice editing and other forms of digital fabrication.
Kim Soo Hyun’s agency expressed gratitude to judicial authorities and stated that it plans to continue legal action by increasing the amount sought in its damages lawsuit against Kim Se Ui to KRW 30 billion.
Sources: Naver
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