Kim Se Ui, the head of controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, appeared in court on May 26 for a pre-arrest detention hearing related to allegations of spreading false information involving actors Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron.
According to Korean media reports, the Seoul Central District Court held a hearing at 10:30 a.m. KST to determine whether Kim Se Ui should be formally detained while investigations continue.
Police are reportedly investigating him on charges including defamation and alleged violations of South Korea’s sexual violence crime laws.
Authorities claim Kim Se Ui repeatedly broadcast unverified allegations through YouTube livestreams and press conferences between March and May of last year.
Among the claims circulated were accusations that Kim Soo Hyun had dated Kim Sae Ron for six years beginning when she was still a minor, and that pressure regarding debt repayment contributed to her death.
Investigators also suspect Kim Se Ui of using AI-generated audio manipulation technology to create and publicly distribute fabricated voice recordings allegedly involving Kim Sae Ron.
The controversial recordings reportedly included claims regarding an underage relationship between the two actors, causing major backlash online.
Reports state that police launched the investigation after receiving a complaint from Kim Soo Hyun’s side.
Authorities allegedly concluded that Kim Se Ui was aware there was no verified evidence proving Kim Soo Hyun dated Kim Sae Ron while she was underage, nor evidence directly linking the actor to her death, but continued distributing the claims regardless.
Because of this, investigators reportedly argued that the broadcasts were made with defamatory intent.
The prosecution formally requested an arrest warrant on May 19 after police submitted their application earlier this month.
If the court determines there is risk of evidence destruction, continued misinformation distribution, or flight risk, Kim Se Ui could face formal detention.
The case has attracted enormous attention across Korean online communities due to Garo Sero Institute’s history of explosive celebrity exposés and controversial reporting.
Many netizens are now closely watching whether the court will approve the detention request, viewing the decision as a significant moment for accountability surrounding misinformation and AI-manipulated content in the Korean entertainment industry.
Sources: Yahoo News
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