Actor Kim Soo Hyun is preparing for a return to the spotlight after enduring months of controversy fueled by what authorities say were fabricated claims and manipulated evidence. As public attention shifts toward his comeback, fans have continued to flood his dormant social media account with messages of support and anticipation.
On May 26, Kim Se Ui, head of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, was arrested on charges related to the dissemination of false information about Kim Soo Hyun.
The Seoul Central District Court approved the arrest warrant after a detention hearing, citing concerns over potential destruction of evidence and the risk of flight. Kim Se Ui faces multiple charges, including defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, violations of laws related to sexual crimes involving the distribution of recorded materials, intimidation, and attempted coercion.
Despite the court’s decision, Kim Se Ui reportedly continued to deny all allegations against him after the hearing.
Prosecutors accuse Kim Se Ui of spreading claims that Kim Soo Hyun had dated the late actress Kim Sae Ron while she was still a minor and that pressure from Kim Soo Hyun’s side regarding debt repayment was directly linked to her death. He is also accused of distributing fabricated recordings and manipulated materials, including AI-generated audio purporting to be the late actress’s voice, in an effort to damage Kim Soo Hyun’s reputation.
Investigators reportedly concluded that KakaoTalk messages presented during a press conference as evidence of a relationship between Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron had been altered and did not involve Kim Soo Hyun. Authorities also determined that audio materials circulated as evidence had been artificially generated using AI technology.
One day after Kim Se Ui’s arrest, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, released an official statement addressing the outcome of the investigations.
The agency stated that ongoing investigations into several complaints and criminal reports filed against Kim Se Ui had confirmed that the allegations and evidence presented against Kim Soo Hyun were false. According to the statement, the KakaoTalk conversations released during press conferences were manipulated conversations involving third parties rather than Kim Soo Hyun, while the audio files attributed to Kim Sae Ron were confirmed to be AI-generated fabrications.
The agency further explained that the seriousness of the alleged offenses—including defamation through false information, stalking-related violations, intimidation, and the unlawful distribution of recorded materials—contributed to the court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant. Gold Medalist expressed gratitude to investigators for establishing the facts through what it described as a thorough and objective investigation.
The company also referenced Kim Soo Hyun’s remarks from a press conference a year earlier, when he stated, “I won’t ask you to simply believe me. I will prove it.” According to the agency, the actor spent the past year focused on honoring that promise and has now been able to demonstrate the truth through the legal process.
Gold Medalist concluded by thanking fans who continued to trust and support Kim Soo Hyun throughout the controversy, signaling that the actor is ready to move forward.
Attention is now turning to Kim Soo Hyun’s potential comeback project, Knock-Off, an upcoming Disney+ series reportedly produced with a budget of approximately 60 billion KRW. The drama follows the journey of an ordinary office worker who rises to become a major figure in the counterfeit luxury goods market. Although the series was originally scheduled for release in 2025, its launch was postponed amid the controversy surrounding the actor.
Meanwhile, support for Kim Soo Hyun continues to grow online. His personal social media account has remained inactive since February 2025, yet fans continue to leave thousands of messages expressing their desire to see him return.
With supporters repeatedly posting messages saying they miss him and are waiting for his next project, many are now watching closely to see whether Kim Soo Hyun will soon make his long-awaited return to the screen.
Sources: Daum
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