Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant Tuesday for Kim Se-ui, the founder and head of the controversial YouTube channel HoverLab, also known as Garo Sero Institute.
Kim Se-ui faces charges of defamation after allegedly spreading false claims that actor Kim Soo-hyun had dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage and had pressured her into repaying a debt, contributing to her tragic death. The court cited substantial concerns that the suspect might destroy evidence or attempt to flee as primary reasons for approving the warrant.
According to police investigations, many of the explosive allegations broadcast in a March 2025 video relied on manipulated materials, including altered KakaoTalk chat logs and an AI-generated voice recording falsely presented as belonging to Kim Sae-ron.
Gangnam Police Station officials stated that Kim Se-ui knowingly disseminated this false information with clear intent to harm the 37-year-old actor’s reputation.
Kim Soo-hyun has consistently denied the claims, describing them as baseless and deeply damaging. The case has drawn widespread public attention, especially following Kim Sae-ron’s untimely passing, which sparked intense media coverage and online debates about celebrity accountability and the ethics of citizen journalism.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse on Tuesday, Kim Se-ui pushed back strongly, calling the warrant request “forced and unreasonable.” He disputed the police findings on the voice recording and argued that sensitive chat reconstructions were clearly disclosed to viewers. The YouTuber also indicated plans to file complaints against investigators for alleged abuse of power.
This case highlights ongoing tensions in South Korea between traditional media, law enforcement, and influential independent content creators who often operate with large followings but limited editorial oversight. Legal experts note that such high-profile defamation suits could set important precedents for regulating digital platforms and protecting individuals from viral falsehoods.
As the investigation proceeds, the entertainment industry watches closely. Kim Soo-hyun’s agency has yet to issue a new statement following the warrant news, but sources close to the matter suggest the actor remains focused on clearing his name while preparing for upcoming projects.
