Seoul: Actor Kim Soo-hyun has escalated his legal actions by filing additional defamation complaints against a YouTuber and the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron. This move comes in response to allegations that he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist, have pursued legal action against Kim Se-ui, who operates the YouTube channel Hoverlab, citing defamation and stalking. They have also lodged a separate defamation complaint against the family of Kim Sae-ron. Kim’s legal representatives highlighted that Kim Se-ui’s claims, made during a May 7 press conference, were baseless and fabricated.
The YouTuber is accused by Kim’s team of disseminating false allegations through doctored audio recordings and manipulated images, which they describe as a serious criminal offense. Since March, Hoverlab has alleged that Kim Soo-hyun had a romantic relationship with Kim Sae-ron starting when she was 15, with the family purportedly being the source of these allegations. Although Kim acknowledges having dated Kim Sae-ron, he denies any relationship began while she was a minor. This prompted an earlier defamation complaint last month against both Kim Se-ui and the family.
During the May 7 press conference, accusations were made against Kim Soo-hyun for allegedly violating the Child Welfare Act, supported by a voice recording allegedly from Kim Sae-ron. The recording claimed their relationship spanned from her middle school years to college. Kim’s agency countered these claims, labeling the audio as fabricated and promised further legal action.