​As of April 2, 2025, actor Kim Soo Hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist, have initiated legal action against the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute (HoverLab) and its representative, Kim Se Eui, for alleged violations of the anti-stalking law. This follows previous legal steps taken against the channel and the late actress Kim Sae Ron's family, involving a lawsuit amounting to 11 billion KRW (approximately $8,250,000).

Kim Soo Hyun and his agency presented evidence proving the claims to be false, based on the materials disclosed and broadcasted by Garosero Research Institute.

Garosero Research Institute's False Claim: "Due to Kim Soo Hyun's arrogant attitude, I have no choice but to reveal it. If he does not acknowledge his relationship with a minor, I will continue to release other photos one by one."

Fact Check: "Kim Sae Ron moved to an apartment in Haengdang-dong, Seoul, in January 2020. These two photos were taken in 2020, and they have nothing to do with a relationship involving a minor."

Garosero Research Institute's False Claim: "What do you think happened when a minor drank soju at 11:20 PM? Are you saying all they did was drink? Is that it?"

Fact Check: "It is true that this was taken in June 2018. The location is Kim Soo Hyun’s apartment in Seongsu-dong, where he lived with his family. Kim Sae Ron was visiting during Kim Soo Hyun’s vacation, and his family was also present. At that time, the two were not in a romantic relationship."

Garosero Research Institute's False Claim: "According to netizens, the ski outfits worn by the two are products from Descente Japan, meaning this photo was taken between 2015 and 2016."

Fact Check: "On this day, they went to the ski resort as part of a group outing with Gold Medalist employees, and a group photo (taken on 2020.01.22) also exists."

Garosero Research Institute's False Claim: "Kim Soo Hyun frequently visited the apartment. The family opposed the older actor Kim Soo Hyun meeting Kim Sae Ron, but Kim Soo Hyun persistently approached the underage Kim Sae Ron."

Fact Check: "The man in the photo is not Kim Soo Hyun. Kim Soo Hyun has never been to the house where Kim Sae Ron lived. The statement, "He came when the family wasn't home," made by the relatives, is false."

Garosero Research Institute's False Claim:"Kim Sae Ron was in middle school, around 16 years old. You're kissing a middle schooler, you pervert."

Fact Check: "This photo was taken after 2019, and both individuals were adults at the time."

Garosero Research Institute's False Claim: "That’s the face of a minor, not an adult! Look at Kim Sae Ron’s face. She still looks like a kid. Kissing a minor itself is a crime!"

Fact Check: "This photo was taken on December 24, 2019, during a Christmas date. Both individuals were adults at the time."

Garosero Research Institute's False Claim: "It sounds like he’s asking for more than just sleeping together. If they weren’t dating, then what kind of relationship was this? Kim Sae Ron was 17 years old at the time."

Fact Check: "Kim Soo Hyun never sent any KakaoTalk messages in 2016 like the ones shown. Therefore, the sender of those messages is either a third party or they are fabricated. We request the original data be submitted to the investigative authorities immediately." 

Late Kim Sae Ron's Family's Initial Claims via KakaoTalk Messages

Photo & Highlight:

• The photo uploaded to the story was taken after 2019.

• Relationship period: Summer 2019 – Fall 2020

Middle Panel
Text from message:

• "There’s a 12-year age difference."

  • Kim Soo Hyun (born 1988)

  • Kim Sae Ron (born 2000)

• "We were 30 and 18 years old. Even if both were legal adults, a relationship between a 30-year-old and an 18-year-old is unsettling."

Related Highlight:

• Kim So Young – Creative Director

  • Term: Nov 2019 – Dec 2024

  • Company: Gold Medalist

  • Role: Visual Directing

Right Panel
Message:

• Mentions the termination of Kim Sae Ron's exclusive contract with the agency.

• Refers to internal company matters and concerns regarding her public image.

Key Highlight:

• Kim Sae Ron's contract ended on November 30, 2022.

Garosero Research Institute's False Claim: "That’s not how a man in a relationship behaves. It looks like they were acting like they were in love in 9th grade, and then gradually it became like a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. It seems Kim Soo Hyun liked her since middle school. Maybe Kim Soo Hyun’s ‘sexual preference’ was already directed toward older girls even back in high school."

Fact Check: "The KakaoTalk messages between Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron are real. In April 2018, Kim Soo Hyun was on a two-week vacation from the military and they chatted over KakaoTalk but did not meet in person. At the time, they were not in a romantic relationship. They only started dating after the summer of 2019."

The controversy centers on claims made by Garosero Research Institute that Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron were in a romantic relationship during their teenage years. The channel presented photos and other materials as evidence. In response, Kim Soo Hyun's legal representatives from L.K.B & Partners have released counter-evidence, systematically refuting these claims.​

According to statements from L.K.B & Partners, Garosero Research Institute broadcasted content titled '[Exclusive] Kim Sae Ron's Death Led by Kim Soo Hyun (6-Year Relationship Since Kim Sae Ron Was 15)' starting March 10, 2025, and continued daily broadcasts on the topic until March 31, 2025. The channel allegedly disseminated false information about Kim Soo Hyun, including private photos, videos, letters, and messages.​

Gold Medalist has reiterated that the assertions of a romantic relationship between Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron during their teenage years are unfounded. The agency has committed to taking stringent legal measures against Garosero Research Institute for the continued spread of false information and related activities.​

SEE ALSO: Late Kim Sae Ron's family share the touching letter left by a journalist