A South Korean YouTuber is facing arrest after allegedly using AI‑fabricated evidence to derail an actor's career by falsely claiming he dated an underage actress who later took her own life.
Investigators allege that YouTuber Kim Se-ui manipulated screenshots of text messages and circulated an AI-generated audio recording to falsely suggest that actor Kim Soo-hyun had dated actress Kim Sae-ron while she was still underage.
The allegations first came to light after actress Kim Sae-ron tragically took her own life aged 24.
Despite Kim Soo-hyun's repeated denials of any wrongdoing, the resulting nationwide scandal heavily damaged his reputation and career, with several luxury brands including Prada cutting ties with the actor.
Kim Se-ui, who has close to a million followers on his YouTube channel, later uploaded a video accusing authorities of engaging in a 'subterfuge meant to disrupt his investigation'.
Following Kim Sae-ron's death, the YouTuber released what he claimed was a voice recording of the actress in which she allegedly said she had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun since middle school.
He also shared screenshots appearing to show text exchanges between the pair.
Police now believe the audio recording was created using AI, further alleging that screenshots taken from the actress's phone were altered to make it appear as though she had been messaging Kim Soo-hyun.
Speaking to reporters in March 2025, Kim Soo-hyun firmly rejected claims that he had dated Kim Soo-hyun while she was underage
Kim Sae-ron had herself endured fierce online criticism following a 2022 drink-driving incident that resulted in a fine
Kim Se-ui, who has close to a million followers on his YouTube channel, uploaded a video accusing authorities of engaging in a 'subterfuge meant to disrupt his investigation'
According to investigators, the false allegations were knowingly spread for financial gain.
In a police filing seen by Korean outlet JoongAng Ilbo, authorities said the YouTuber's actions 'collapsed Kim Soo-hyun's social base and his economic activities across the board, and destroyed the basis for his professional survival'.
The actor is 'still receiving psychiatric treatment', authorities added.
The scandal has once again brought to light the intense scrutiny faced by celebrities in South Korea, where public figures are often expected to maintain spotless reputations.
Stars have previously been shunned over allegations ranging from school bullying, to smoking marijuana and wearing counterfeit designer clothing.
Kim Sae-ron had herself endured fierce online criticism following a 2022 drink-driving incident that resulted in a fine.
Before the controversy, she had been regarded as one of South Korea's brightest young acting talents.
Following her death, the actress' family publicly supported Kim Se-ui's claims.
Kim Soo-hyun's agency initially denied the pair had ever been romantically involved, but he later acknowledged they had dated for a year, insisting the relationship only began when Kim Sae-ron was an adult.
Speaking to reporters in March 2025, the actor firmly rejected claims that he had dated her while she was underage.
Breaking down in tears, he said: 'I can't admit to something I didn't do.'
That same month, Kim Soo-hyun filed criminal complaints and lawsuits against both the YouTuber and Kim Sae-ron's family, accusing them of spreading false allegations.
Since the scandal broke, the actor, previously a dominant figure in South Korean TV and advertising, has avoided all official public engagements.
Additionally, Disney+ indefinitely shelved the release of Knock-off, a drama series he was filming at the time.
Kim Soo-hyun and his representatives have not made a statement regarding the legal moves to arrest the accused YouTuber.