The Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron controversy has become more complicated as it moves from social media to legal authorities. After Kim Soo Hyun's agency filed a criminal complaint against family members of the late actress and the Garosero Research Institute, the Seoul police have now stepped in to handle the matter.
On March 24, the police announced that they would launch an investigation into defamation cases involving actor Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron.
As per a Chosunbiz report, acting Commissioner Park Hyun Soo of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that they will investigate the complaint filed by Kim Soo Hyun's side against HOVERLAB (Garosero Research Institute) for allegedly violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.
The complaint was received at the Gangnam Police Station on March 20, and the investigation will include questioning the complainant, he added.
Additionally, Park also addressed the investigation into YouTuber Lee Jin Ho's defamation allegations related to Kim Sae Ron. The case was assigned to the Seodaemun Police Station on March 17, and the police are coordinating a schedule for the complainant's appearance.
Kim Soo Hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, has taken legal action against the operator of Garo Sero Research Institute and members of Kim Sae Ron's family. The agency filed criminal lawsuits on March 20, 2025, citing the sharing of an explicit photo of Kim Soo Hyun.
According to the agency's statement, the lawsuits target Kim Sae Ui, the operator of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute, for posting an explicit photo during a live broadcast. The lawsuits also involve Kim Sae Ron's family members, specifically an unidentified individual claiming to be her aunt, who allegedly provided the photo to Kim Sae Ui.
The lawsuit specifically cited violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes, which prohibits the distribution of explicit footage or images taken without consent.
On March 24, 2025, Gold Medalist addressed the matter, revealing that they have filed blackmail charges against Garosero after they allegedly threatened Disney+. Disney+¡¯s new K-drama, Knock Off, starring Kim Soo Hyun.
Their statement read: "On the very next day after we filed the complaint, March 21, Garo Sero Research Institute once again posted the same photos during a live broadcast on their YouTube channel. This behaviour by them constitutes another criminal act and shows blatant disregard for the law and investigative authorities. It is an unimaginable act.
During the live broadcasts on March 21 and 22, they also mentioned Disney+¡¯s original drama Knock Off, in which actor Kim Soo Hyun appears, and threatened that if Disney+ does not cancel the release of Knock Off, they would release a video featuring Kim Soo Hyun."
The agency also denied the existence of any evidence that proof My Love from the Star had committed a crime similar to the Nth Room case.