In a statement released on April 2, Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team at LKB & Partners addressed the claims and photos recently revealed by controversial YouTube channel “Garo Sero Research Institute” (Garo Sero).
According to Kim’s representatives, they have filed an additional criminal complaint against GaSeYeon’s operator, Kim Se Ui, citing violations of the Anti-Stalking Law, adding that the claim that Kim Soo Hyun had a romantic relationship with Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor is false. They also explained all the previously revealed footage of Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron.
In particular, Garo Sero had previously released videos and images, including a photo allegedly showing Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron drinking soju and eating spicy chicken stew in 2018. They also shared a photo of Kim taking a picture of Kim Sae Ron sleeping on a bed, claiming these to be evidence of an inappropriate relationship.
In response, Kim Soo Hyun’s side acknowledged that the 2018 soju photo is authentic but clarified the context, stating, “Kim Sae Ron was on break and visited Kim Soo Hyun at his family home in Seongsu-dong. Kim’s family was present. At that time, the two were not in a romantic relationship.”
They further clarified that:
The ski trip photo being circulated was taken in 2020 during a group company outing.
A “kitchen photo” of Kim doing dishes in shorts was also from 2020.
Any affectionate photos, including those rumored to show kissing, were taken after 2019—when Kim Sae Ron was legally an adult.
Kim’s lawyers emphasized that the narrative being spread by Garo Serois not only false but also damaging, saying, “These actions have crossed a line into character assassination. We have no choice but to seek thorough investigation and legal accountability.”
Meanwhile, Kim Soo Hyun held a tearful press conference on March 31 denying the allegations, but netizens remain skeptical.
