On the July 14 episode of MBC's investigative program PD Notebook, it was revealed that Kim Se Ui, head of the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, generated approximately 118.8 million KRW (around $86,000) in YouTube viewer donations from broadcasts covering the Kim Soo Hyun controversy alone.
The program also revealed that 146 advertisements were shown during the broadcasts, suggesting the channel likely earned substantial advertising revenue in addition to viewer donations. Furthermore, the controversy reportedly helped Garo Sero Institute surpass one million YouTube subscribers, significantly expanding the channel's reach and monetization potential.
Kim Se Ui had previously claimed that Kim Soo Hyun dated Kim Sae Ron while she was underage, presenting what he described as KakaoTalk chat screenshots and audio recordings as supporting evidence. However, according to findings cited by PD Notebook, police determined that the KakaoTalk screenshots had been digitally manipulated. Investigators reportedly concluded that Kim Soo Hyun’s name and profile photo had been inserted into conversations without identifying the original participants.
The audio recordings were also found to have been released without undergoing sufficient verification, further undermining the credibility of the allegations.
The program also featured an interview with entrepreneur Eun Hyun Jang, widely known as “The God of Business“, who was previously targeted by Garo Sero Institute. He criticized the channel’s methods, saying: “The only thing Garo Sero Institute gained from these reckless exposés was money.” He further alleged that the channel’s approach focuses on calculating “how much money they can extract from someone” whenever they launch attacks against individuals.
The allegations surrounding Kim Soo Hyun significantly impacted his career, leading to suspended projects, advertising disputes, and months away from public activities. Kim Soo Hyun has consistently denied claims that he dated Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor, maintaining that their relationship began only after she reached adulthood.
He has also taken legal action against Kim Se Ui and others involved in spreading the allegations. Prosecutors have since indicted Kim Se Ui on multiple charges, including criminal defamation, stalking law violations, and making threats, with the legal proceedings still ongoing.
Sources: Daum | 마이데일리
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