27th May 2026 – (Seoul) South Korean authorities have arrested YouTuber Kim Se-ui on suspicion of using artificial intelligence and fabricated evidence to defame leading actor Kim Soo-hyun, in a scandal that has dominated domestic entertainment headlines for months.
The Seoul Central District Court approved an arrest warrant on Tuesday, citing concerns that Kim could destroy evidence or flee. Prosecutors allege the creator of the Hover Lab channel—followed by nearly a million subscribers—circulated an AI‑generated audio clip and doctored screenshots to claim Kim Soo-hyun dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was underage. Police say the recording was produced via voice‑cloning technology and that the text messages were manipulated.
Kim Se-ui denied the accusations outside court, criticising the process and pledging to file complaints against police and prosecutors. His channel, known for political commentary and celebrity gossip, published the claims months after Kim Sae-ron’s death, triggering intense scrutiny of the actor’s private life and commercial work.
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency welcomed the arrest, saying the investigation confirmed that all allegations levelled by Hover Lab were unfounded. It referenced the star’s tearful press conference in March 2025, where he acknowledged a year‑long relationship with Kim Sae-ron but insisted it began only after she was an adult, adding: “I won’t ask you to believe me. I will definitely prove myself.”
Police filings reported by local media say the controversy severely damaged Kim Soo-hyun’s professional activity and public standing, and that he remains under psychiatric treatment. Authorities have not indicated when charges might be formally laid as the investigation continues.