One of South Korea’s most high-profile entertainment stars, Kim Soo-hyun, has been cleared of false, damaging allegations after local authorities arrested a popular YouTube creator accused of fabricating evidence to defame the actor, ending a 12-month scandal that sidelined the A-lister’s career.
The arrested content creator, Kim Se-ui, operates the channel Hover Lab, which boasts nearly 1 million subscribers. The allegations first emerged in 2024, shortly after 24-year-old actress Kim Sae-ron died by suicide. Months after her death, Hover Lab published what it claimed was evidence that Kim Soo-hyun had entered a romantic relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was still a minor — claims the veteran actor has vehemently denied from the start.
Investigators from South Korean police and prosecutors have since concluded that the evidence presented by the YouTuber was entirely manipulated. The purported voice recording of Kim Sae-ron discussing the relationship, they confirmed, was generated using artificial intelligence, and text message screenshots supposedly proving contact between the two stars were altered to fit the false narrative. On Tuesday, the Seoul Central District Court approved an arrest warrant for Kim Se-ui, officially authorizing his detainment. Court officials cited valid concerns that the creator could attempt to destroy remaining evidence or flee the country to avoid prosecution.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse ahead of the warrant being granted, Kim Se-ui rejected all charges against him, claiming the legal document failed to accurately outline basic facts of the case. He also announced plans to file counter-complaints against the police and prosecution teams that requested his arrest.
The false allegations sent shockwaves through South Korea’s entertainment industry and the general public, as Kim Soo-hyun remains one of the country’s most recognizable figures, with a string of hit drama series and widespread advertising partnerships across the nation. According to police documents cited by South Korean outlet JoongAng Ilbo, the fabricated claims entirely upended the star’s public standing and professional activities, destroying the foundation of his entertainment career. Police also confirmed that Kim Soo-hyun has continued to receive psychiatric care to cope with the stress and damage caused by the scandal.
The actor has not made any official public appearances since an emotional press conference held in March 2025. During that event, Kim Soo-hyun acknowledged he had dated Kim Sae-ron for one year, but clarified the relationship only began after she reached legal adulthood. “I can’t admit to something I didn’t do,” he told reporters at the time, before filing criminal complaints and civil lawsuits against both Kim Se-ui and Kim Sae-ron’s family for spreading false accusations.
In an official statement released Wednesday, one year after that press conference, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency said the legal process had finally vindicated the star. “The investigation confirmed that all suspicions and evidence raised by Hover Lab against Kim Soo-hyun were unfounded,” the statement read. It went on to reference the promise Kim Soo-hyun made a year prior: “At a press conference a year ago, Kim Soo-hyun promised, ‘I won’t ask you to believe me. I will definitely prove myself’. The past year has been solely dedicated to keeping that promise.” The agency also extended gratitude to the fans and supporters who stood by the actor throughout the scandal, adding that “the truth has been proven.”