Kim Soo Hyun and his agency, GOLDMEDALIST, have escalated their legal battle against Garosero Research Institute and its operator, Kim Se Ui, filing an additional complaint for violating South Korea’s Stalking Punishment Act. This follows ongoing disputes over false claims about the actor’s past relationship with the late Kim Sae Ron.
New Legal Action Announced
On April 30, 2025, GOLDMEDALIST released a statement confirming the filing of a new complaint and indictment against Kim Se Ui. The agency accused him of repeatedly spreading false information about Kim Soo Hyun, which they claim constitutes stalking under South Korean law.
The statement highlighted that authorities recognized Kim Se Ui’s actions as stalking. On April 22, 2025, an interim measure was requested to stop his behavior. The Seoul Central District Court approved this on April 23, 2025, ordering Kim Se Ui to cease targeting Kim Soo Hyun.
Despite the court’s ruling, Kim Se Ui continued to broadcast false claims on his YouTube channel, Garosero Research Institute. GOLDMEDALIST stated that these actions violate the court’s decision, exposing Kim Se Ui to potential penalties of up to two years in prison or a fine of 20 million KRW (approximately $14,074 USD).
“Kim Se Ui’s continuous and repeated spread of false information about Kim Soo Hyun constituted a stalking crime against Kim Soo Hyun.” — GOLDMEDALIST Statement
Background of the Dispute
The conflict began on March 10, 2025, when Garosero Research Institute alleged that Kim Soo Hyun had a six-year relationship with Kim Sae Ron, starting when she was 15 years old. The claims, supported by alleged private messages and photos, sparked widespread controversy.
Kim Sae Ron’s family, including a woman claiming to be her aunt, appeared on the channel, accusing Kim Soo Hyun of dating the actress as a minor. They also claimed GOLDMEDALIST imposed financial strain on Kim Sae Ron after her 2022 DUI incident, contributing to her emotional distress before her death on February 16, 2025.
Kim Soo Hyun and GOLDMEDALIST have consistently denied these allegations. At a press conference on March 31, 2025, the actor stated that he never dated Kim Sae Ron when she was underage. The agency clarified that any relationship began in 2019, when Kim Sae Ron was an adult.
Previous Legal Steps
This is not the first legal action taken by Kim Soo Hyun and GOLDMEDALIST. On March 20, 2025, they filed a criminal lawsuit against Garosero Research Institute and Kim Sae Ron’s family for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. This was in response to the unauthorized release of a private photo showing Kim Soo Hyun partially undressed at Kim Sae Ron’s home.
On April 1, 2025, another complaint was filed, accusing Kim Se Ui of stalking and defamation. Additionally, a civil lawsuit seeking 11 billion KRW (approximately $8.25 million USD) in damages was lodged against Kim Sae Ron’s family, Kim Se Ui, and an individual claiming to be her aunt.
The Seoul Central District Court assigned the defamation case to its 14th Civil Agreement Division on April 2, 2025. However, reports on April 17, 2025, suggested delays in paying litigation fees, which GOLDMEDALIST denied, stating all fees were paid by April 10, 2025.
Garosero’s Claims and Counteractions
Garosero Research Institute has remained defiant, releasing additional videos and photos to support their claims. On March 31, 2025, they aired footage allegedly showing Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron together in 2018, including a clip of them sharing a meal and drinking soju. They also shared KakaoTalk messages from April and May 2018, claiming these proved a relationship when Kim Sae Ron was 18.
“Soo Hyun, you only contact me when you miss me or need me, but you’re never there when I need you.” “Hey! I just wanted to show you this lol.” — Alleged KakaoTalk messages from Kim Sae Ron to Kim Soo Hyun, April 2018
Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team refuted these, stating that photos and messages were either fabricated or misrepresented. For instance, they denied that Kim Soo Hyun sent certain KakaoTalk messages in 2016 and clarified that a photo allegedly showing him at Kim Sae Ron’s apartment featured someone else.
Garosero also threatened to release more evidence, including “shocking photos and videos,” unless Kim Soo Hyun apologized publicly. They claimed forensic analysis of Kim Sae Ron’s phone and laptop supported their allegations, with metadata from photos dated April and September 2017.
Public and Netizen Reactions
The controversy has divided public opinion. Some netizens criticized Kim Soo Hyun for suing Kim Sae Ron’s grieving family, calling it insensitive. Others supported the actor, accusing Garosero Research Institute of spreading misinformation.
“This is so unfair to Kim Soo Hyun. Garosero is just making things up!” “Suing the family of someone who passed away? That’s low, even if the claims are false.” — Netizen comments on social media
A petition launched on March 16, 2025, on Change.org, titled “Justice for Kim Soo Hyun,” called for an investigation into Garosero Research Institute for defamation and harassment. It garnered significant support, reflecting fans’ frustration with the channel’s actions.
Conversely, Garosero claimed that 90% of Kim Sae Ron’s friends linked Kim Soo Hyun and GOLDMEDALIST to her distress. They also referenced a petition with 50,000 signatures targeting another YouTuber, Lee Jin Ho, for allegedly harassing Kim Sae Ron.
Impact on Kim Soo Hyun’s Career
The scandal has affected Kim Soo Hyun’s professional life. His upcoming Disney+ drama, Knock-Off, was postponed, reportedly after Garosero threatened to release compromising videos unless the release was canceled. Several brands, including Prada, DINTO, and CUCKOO China, terminated endorsement deals with the actor.
Despite these setbacks, Kim Soo Hyun continued filming Knock-Off and made a public appearance at a 7-11 sakura festival in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on March 30, 2025. A source close to the actor revealed he was deeply affected but remained committed to his work, apologizing to co-stars and directors for the controversy.
Garosero’s History of Controversy
Garosero Research Institute, also known as HoverLab, has a history of controversial exposés. The channel has targeted figures like Song Joong Ki, Seo Ye Ji, and former President Park Geun Hye, with mixed accuracy. While some reports were validated, others led to lawsuits for defamation and privacy violations.
In a previous case, YouTuber Tzuyang’s lawsuit against Kim Se Ui was dismissed in March 2025, with police ruling that his actions did not violate stalking or personal information laws, given Tzuyang’s public status.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The Seoul Central District Court is now reviewing multiple lawsuits involving Kim Soo Hyun, GOLDMEDALIST, Kim Sae Ron’s family, and Garosero Research Institute. The latest complaint filed on April 30, 2025, underscores GOLDMEDALIST’s determination to protect Kim Soo Hyun’s reputation.
Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team, led by Attorney Kim Jong Bok from LKB & Partners, emphasized that they will pursue all necessary legal measures. They aim to halt Garosero’s broadcasts and hold Kim Se Ui accountable for violating court orders.
Current Status
As of April 30, 2025, GOLDMEDALIST and Kim Soo Hyun remain focused on their legal strategy, with no plans to back down. Garosero Research Institute has not issued a public response to the latest complaint, but their history suggests they may continue to challenge the actor and his agency.
The case continues to draw attention, with ongoing debates about the credibility of Garosero’s claims and the ethics of Kim Soo Hyun’s lawsuits against Kim Sae Ron’s family. The outcome of these legal battles will likely have significant implications for all parties involved.
