Kim Soo Hyun-Kim Sae Ron case: Police seek arrest warrant against HoverLab head over alleged fabricated evidence

South Korean police are seeking an arrest warrant against Kim Se Ui, head of the YouTube channel HoverLab, for allegedly spreading false information about actor Kim Soo Hyun.

According to a report by The Korea Times, police said Kim Se Ui presented fabricated evidence to support his claims that Kim Soo Hyun dated the late actress Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor.

"The suspect held a press conference on May 7 last year and played an audio file of the deceased's voice, which was fake and made by AI. He then falsely claimed the deceased had been dating the accused since she was middle school and they had their first sexual encounter during her second year of middle school, during winter break," police said in their warrant request, which was quoted by Korean language daily Chosun Ilbo.

"The suspect distributed false information with the intent to slander the victim, despite being well aware that actor Kim had never dated the deceased while she was a minor."

The Korea Times said suspicions had already emerged last year that the voice recording had been edited. In November 2025, the National Forensic Service said it could not confirm whether AI was used to alter the audio.

Meanwhile, the text messages allegedly exchanged between the two actors were also reportedly manipulated.

Police have reportedly included the lawyer of Kim Sae Ron's family in the investigation for allegedly helping spread the altered materials.

In April 2025, Kim Soo Hyun filed a civil suit against Kim Sae Ron's family and the operators of HoverLab.

He also denied that he dated Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor. According to the actor, he dated the late actress six years ago for about a year, but not when she was underage.

"I did not date the deceased when she was a minor. And it is also not true that the deceased made a tragic choice because of me turning a blind eye," Kim Soo Hyun said, alluding to claims that he was partly responsible for her death.

Kim Sae Ron died by suicide in February 2025. She was 24.

The actress was known for her roles in the films "A Brand New Life" and "The Man From Nowhere." She also appeared in the series "Hi! School Love On," "Can You Hear my Heart," and "The Queen's Classroom," among others.

Meanwhile, Kim Soo Hyun is known for starring in "Queen of Tears," "It's Okay To Not Be Okay," and "My Love from the Star." —Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA News