The legal case involving actor Kim Soo Hyun has taken a serious turn as South Korean prosecutors move to seek pre-trial detention for Kim Se-ui, the head of the YouTube channel Garosero Institute (HoverLab).
The request marks a major escalation in a controversy tied to allegations involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron, which has continued for more than a year.
On Wednesday, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office confirmed it had requested an arrest warrant for Kim Se-ui.
Authorities say the move follows an earlier application by Gangnam Police Station on May 14, citing suspected violations of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, including illegal filming and distribution, along with defamation charges, Koreaboo reported.
Prosecutors allege that Kim spread false information through online broadcasts claiming that Kim Soo Hyun dated Kim Sae-ron while she was still a minor. He is also accused of stating that pressure from Kim Soo Hyun's side to repay debts contributed to the actress's death.
Authorities further claim that he damaged the actor's reputation by using AI-generated audio to support these allegations.
Arrest Warrant Sought In Relation To Kim Sae Ron And Kim Soo Hyun's Controversyhttps://t.co/TQjzygP2gv
— Koreaboo (@Koreaboo) May 20, 2026
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Kim Se-ui Faces Possible Detention
A key part of the investigation involves a recorded voice file said to contain Kim Sae-ron's statements. Kim Soo Hyun's legal team argued that the recording was manipulated using artificial intelligence.
According to KoreaTimes, Police later requested an analysis from the National Forensic Service to determine its authenticity. In November, the agency reported that it was unable to confirm whether the file had been altered using AI technology.
The dispute first gained widespread attention in May last year, when Kim Se-ui held a press conference alongside Kim Sae-ron's family. During the event, he presented a transcript claiming the actress had been in a relationship with Kim Soo Hyun since she was underage.
The claims quickly sparked public debate and legal action from Kim Soo Hyun's side, who filed a defamation complaint.
According to officials, the ongoing case now centers on whether the information shared online was intentionally fabricated and distributed to damage the actor's reputation.
Investigators are also examining the role of digital tools in producing or altering evidence presented to the public.
A pre-trial detention hearing for Kim Se-ui is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on May 26 at the Seoul Central District Court. The court will decide whether he should be detained while the investigation continues.
