South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun is facing renewed public scrutiny after prosecutors in Seoul moved to seek an arrest warrant for Kim Se-ui, the controversial YouTuber behind the Garo Sero Institute, over allegations involving manipulated evidence tied to the actor and the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
According to multiple Korean media reports, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has requested the warrant as part of an expanding investigation into alleged defamation, fabricated digital evidence and the distribution of disputed materials circulated online during the months-long scandal surrounding Kim Soo-hyun.
The allegations against Kim Se-ui reportedly include disseminating manipulated KakaoTalk messages, distributing allegedly AI-generated voice recordings and spreading false claims tied to Kim Soo-hyun's alleged past relationship with Kim Sae-ron. A court hearing on the warrant request is reportedly scheduled for 26 May.
The case has become one of South Korea's most closely watched entertainment controversies, blending celebrity culture, artificial intelligence concerns and online misinformation into a legal battle that has reshaped public discussion around digital evidence in high-profile scandals.
Investigators are now reportedly examining whether some of the material shared publicly by Garo Sero was artificially generated or digitally altered before being amplified across YouTube, TikTok and Korean online forums. Authorities are said to suspect that certain audio clips may have been synthesized using AI technology, while some KakaoTalk screenshots may have been edited before publication.
The disputed content spread rapidly online earlier this year, fueling intense criticism against Kim Soo-hyun and generating widespread speculation about his relationship with Kim Sae-ron before her death in February 2025 at age 24.
Kim Soo-hyun has repeatedly denied allegations that he dated Kim Sae-ron while she was underage. During a March 2025 press conference, the actor stated: "I can't admit to something I didn't do."
His agency also denied claims that any relationship began when Kim Sae-ron was 15 years old. Some reports have suggested Kim Soo-hyun acknowledged a brief relationship later in her adult life, though allegations involving her minor years remain unproven and unresolved in court.
The fallout from the controversy has been significant for the actor, whose international profile surged following the success of Queen of Tears. Several brands reportedly distanced themselves from Kim Soo-hyun during the height of the backlash, while endorsement deals and entertainment projects faced uncertainty amid growing public pressure.
Online reaction in South Korea remains sharply divided. Supporters of Kim Soo-hyun argue the actor was subjected to unverified accusations amplified through social media outrage, while critics continue demanding accountability and transparency regarding the broader circumstances surrounding Kim Sae-ron before her death.
The controversy intensified dramatically after Kim Sae-ron was found dead earlier this year, triggering an explosion of online commentary, conspiracy theories and accusations aimed at multiple public figures connected to the actress.
Social media platforms became a central battleground in the dispute. Viral comments circulating on TikTok included statements such as: "saying he threatened her and used her with no evidence is crazy" and "Stop exaggerating u guys just wanna spoil this man career . Listen both sides first." Another widely shared comment read: "That was not true. He didn't threaten her, he didn't groom her, he didn't threaten her to give him all of her money. Stop lying. And he didn't abandon her. He broke up with her."
The investigation into Kim Se-ui now places renewed attention on how AI-generated content and manipulated digital evidence can influence celebrity scandals in South Korea, where online narratives often move faster than formal legal proceedings.
