Kim Soo Hyun Takes Legal Action Against Garo Sero Institute and Kim Sae Ron’s Family Over Defamatory Claims

Renowned actor Kim Soo Hyun has taken a firm stand against malicious rumors, filing additional legal action against the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, along with members of late actress Kim Sae Ron’s family, for spreading defamatory claims regarding his personal and professional life.

On June 20, 2025, Kim Soo Hyun’s legal representatives confirmed the move through an official press release, stating:

“We have filed an additional criminal complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office to address the continued distribution of false, damaging content related to our client.”

⚖️ Background: The False Allegations

The situation stems from a series of viral videos and social media posts made by Garo Sero Institute in recent months, which falsely linked Kim Soo Hyun to the tragic downfall and death of Kim Sae Ron.

The hosts of Garo Sero claimed, without evidence, that Kim Soo Hyun had a personal relationship with Kim Sae Ron that influenced her financial and emotional troubles. One host even suggested that Kim Soo Hyun was involved in "silencing the truth" behind her struggles.

Members of Kim Sae Ron’s family, including an unnamed cousin and distant relative, were reportedly contacted for interviews by Garo Sero. They provided unsupported claims that added fuel to the narrative — allegations which Kim Soo Hyun’s team has now described as “completely fabricated and harmful.”

💬 Kim Soo Hyun’s Official Response

Through his agency Gold Medalist, Kim Soo Hyun stated:

“I have remained silent for a long time, trusting that truth would prevail. But when lies are repeated often and publicly, silence becomes damage. I owe it to my family, fans, and colleagues to protect my name.”

His agency also emphasized that:

• All rumors connecting him to Kim Sae Ron beyond their professional acquaintance are entirely untrue.
  
  

• The videos from Garo Sero Institute are defamatory and manipulative, aimed at exploiting tragic events for views.
  
  

• Legal procedures are being pursued not only for monetary damages but also for criminal liability under Korean defamation law.
  
  

📉 Impact on Career and Mental Health

Sources close to the actor revealed that the persistent spread of misinformation has had a serious toll on Kim Soo Hyun's mental health and ongoing work commitments.

“He has had to cancel meetings, delay projects, and is seeking therapy,” one insider reported. “No one deserves to be publicly accused without proof.”

Despite the stress, Kim Soo Hyun has continued filming his upcoming drama project set for release in late 2025, though promotional events have reportedly been scaled back for the time being.

🕵️‍♂️ Who Is Garo Sero Institute?

Garo Sero Institute is a controversial Korean YouTube channel known for exposing celebrity and political gossip. While the platform has occasionally highlighted real corruption, they have also drawn backlash for spreading unverified or false claims — often resulting in lawsuits and legal trouble.

Multiple celebrities have previously sued Garo Sero, including Lee Byung Hun, Song Hye Kyo, and even K-pop agencies like HYBE.

“Garo Sero operates in a legal grey area, but that’s ending quickly,” said one media lawyer.

⚠️ The Legal Battle Intensifies

Kim Soo Hyun's legal team is reportedly pursuing both civil and criminal charges, which include:

• Defamation under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection
  
  

• Spreading false information with intent to harm reputation
  
  

• Inciting online harassment through suggestive content
  
  

They have also requested YouTube and Korean video-sharing platforms to take down defamatory content and issue warnings to channels that reproduce or amplify the rumors.

👥 Fan Reactions: #ProtectKimSooHyun Trends

Support for Kim Soo Hyun has exploded online, with hashtags like #ProtectKimSooHyun, #JusticeForSooHyun, and #StopDefamation trending worldwide.

• “Kim Soo Hyun is one of the most respectful actors in the industry. This is disgusting,” tweeted a fan.
  
  

• “Stop spreading rumors about the dead and blaming the innocent,” said another.
  
  

• "We stand with Soo Hyun — fight back and clear your name," read a trending Reddit post.
  
  

💔 The Late Kim Sae Ron’s Legacy

Fans and netizens are also expressing concern about how the memory of Kim Sae Ron is being politicized and distorted. Many believe she deserves peace, and that dragging her name into clickbait videos only adds pain to her grieving family and colleagues.

“Using Kim Sae Ron’s passing to attack someone else is just cruel,” one fan commented.

📝 Final Thoughts

The situation between Kim Soo Hyun, Garo Sero Institute, and Kim Sae Ron’s relatives highlights the dark side of celebrity culture — where rumors can spiral into public campaigns of defamation. But it also reveals the strength of fans and legal systems standing up for truth and justice.

As Kim Soo Hyun pursues justice, many in the industry and among the public hope this case will set a powerful precedent — that reckless rumor-spreading has consequences, and that even stars deserve protection and dignity.