This article is part of our coverage of Kim Soo Hyun And Kim Sae Ron's Relationship. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.
Kim Soo Hyun has cleared his name regarding Kim Sae Ron‘s KakaoTalk messages and resumed his activities. However, the actor is still facing malicious commenters spreading false information and defaming his reputation and character.
On October 14th, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency Gold Medalist released an official statement announcing legal measures against the dissemination of false information concerning their artist.
The agency stated, “Regarding the spread of false information and defamation related to our artist Kim Soo Hyun, we inform you as follows. The allegations against Kim Soo Hyun for violating the Child Welfare Act have been dismissed with a ‘no charges’ decision,” adding, “False claims that Kim Soo Hyun dated the deceased during their minority and the related Child Welfare Act violation allegations have been thoroughly investigated by authorities, who found no grounds for the charges, resulting in the ‘no charge’ ruling. Consequently, the series of claims against Kim Soo Hyun have been confirmed to lack factual and objective basis. This matter is no longer a debate but proven falsehood through official investigation.”
They further explained, “The initial spreader of false information, Kim Se Ui of the Garosero Research Institute, has been formally charged and detained. Kim Se Ui, who first made and continuously spread false claims about Kim Soo Hyun, has had an arrest warrant issued by the court on charges including defamation by false information under the Information and Communications Network Act and is currently detained awaiting trial.”
They warned, “Continuing to cite or republish these claims as if factual supports the crimes committed by the detained Kim Se Ui and constitutes additional illegal acts that perpetuate and expand the damage caused by these crimes.”
According to the agency, even after the official confirmation of the investigation results and the arrest and indictment of the initial disseminator, creating false content or sharing, reposting, or redistributing related posts, videos, or comments is a deliberate illegal act of magnifying and reproducing falsehoods. Posting or sharing broadcast footage, thumbnails, photos, screenshots, and other audiovisual materials used or revealed in the Garosero Research Institute’s broadcasts—or editing, excerpting, or manipulating these materials to further spread them—can be considered malicious additional harm to the crime victim and an intentional amplification of the damage.
Moreover, even posting such images without additional commentary, citing sources, or simply reposting others’ content does not exempt one from responsibility. The intent, malice, repetition, and spread of these acts may negatively affect sentencing in criminal cases, leading to harsher punishment, and also influence unfavorable outcomes when determining civil damages.
Finally, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency stated, “Our legal actions target not only the spread of false information but also all acts that damage an individual’s social reputation and personality. This includes insulting expressions, personal attacks, malicious mockery and slander, posts that cleverly distort facts, videos and images selectively edited to mislead, and indirect defamation using initials, allusions, slang, or nicknames.”
With the arrest of Kim Se Ui, representative of Garosero Research Institute, legally confirming that his claims regarding Kim Soo Hyun’s alleged relationship with a minor are false, the agency has stepped up to take firm legal action against ongoing malicious comments and the spread of fake news.