South Korean star Kim Soo Hyun has escalated his legal battle by filing an additional lawsuit and criminal complaint against Kim Se Ui, operator of the Garo Sero Research Institute, and the family of the late actress Kim Sae Ron, in a move aimed at protecting his reputation amid intensifying controversies.
According to a June 23 report from Koreaboo, the “My Love From Another Star” actor’s legal representatives at LKB & Partners confirmed the filing of new legal complaints on behalf of Kim and his agency, Gold Medalist. These follow earlier defamation and false accusation lawsuits filed against Kim Sae Ron’s family. The new lawsuit was prompted by serious claims made during a press conference held by Kim Se Ui on May 7.
At the press event, Kim Se Ui presented an alleged voice recording he claimed belonged to Kim Sae Ron, suggesting she had a relationship with Kim Soo Hyun during her middle school years. He further alleged that Kim offered ₩4 billion KRW (approx. $2.91 million USD) to suppress the audio and resorted to assault when refused. He even accused Kim of violating the Child Welfare Act, a major legal offense in South Korea.
However, Kim Soo Hyun’s legal counsel responded that the recording in question was AI-generated using deepfake voice technology, calling it fabricated and false. The actor’s representatives stated that Kim Se Ui and Kim Sae Ron’s family manipulated evidence and filed criminal complaints based on forged content, marking the case as a “serious instance of false accusation.” The legal team emphasized their commitment to holding both parties legally and ethically accountable.
In a prior lawsuit, Kim Soo Hyun had sought ₩12 billion KRW (around $8.74 million USD) in damages, along with defamation and charges under the Sexual Crimes Special Act. Both Kim and Gold Medalist remain firm in their legal stance, underscoring their intent to defend the actor’s dignity and professional integrity.
The ongoing controversy traces back to widespread rumors suggesting that Kim Soo Hyun was in a romantic relationship with Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor. The issue worsened after her tragic suicide in February 2025, and was compounded by her 2022 DUI incident and reported disputes with her agency. It was speculated that Kim distanced himself from Sae Ron during her financial struggles, further fueling public scrutiny.
Posthumous accusations against Kim Soo Hyun continued to surface, including leaked private images and allegations of a secret ongoing relationship. Gold Medalist confirmed a short-term relationship between the two, clarifying that it occurred after Kim Sae Ron had legally become an adult. The agency also declined to provide condolence money to her family following the leak of a semi-nude photo of Kim Soo Hyun, fearing it might be misinterpreted as an admission of wrongdoing.
As the situation unfolds, Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team vows to pursue justice and accountability, insisting that the use of AI-generated evidence and baseless accusations will not go unchallenged.
