table of content table of content
While Kim Se-ui was recently charged and placed in pretrial detention in connection with the complaint filed by actor Kim Soo-hyun, the findings of a forensic analysis conducted by the prosecutor’s office’s scientific unit have now to call into question one of the most widely publicized aspects of the case: the audio recording attributed to the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
According to information revealed by JTBC, the scientific division of the Korean prosecutor's office has reportedly identified several technical anomalies in the audio file released by Garo Sero in May 2025.
At the time, Kim Se-ui had presented this recording at a press conference, claiming that it was a conversation in which Kim Sae-ron discussed a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun while she was a minor. Kim Soo-hyun and his agency immediately disputed the authenticity of the recording.
An expert opinion that suggests a possible arrangement
According to findings cited by Korean media, investigators reportedly detected interruptions in the audio signal as well as differences in frequency between the male and female voices heard in the recording.
Prosecutors believe there is a possibility that the female voice was recorded separately before being broadcast on another device and then re-recorded to simulate a real conversation.
In other words, the person identified as the informant may have had someone listen to a file containing a voice attributed to Kim Sae-ron before re-recording the entire segment to create the illusion of a real conversation.
This investigation comes as Kim Se-ui was recently charged and taken into custody on several counts related to content posted against Kim Soo-hyun. The first hearing in the trial will take place on July 24.
JTBC also reports that authorities are now examining the revenue generated by this content in order to consider the possible confiscation of profits deemed to be linked to the alleged offenses.
Suspicions surrounding the evidence are mounting
These new findings are consistent with several revelations that have already been discussed in recent weeks.
The report aired by MBC on the program «Straight» noted, in particular, that the National Forensic Service had never authenticated the recording, contrary to Kim Se-ui’s repeated claims.
A few days before this new forensic analysis, MBC had also revealed that some of the KakaoTalk conversations aired by Garo Sero may have been altered. According to the investigation cited by the network, Two Garo Sero employees are alleged to have been involved in altering screenshots in order to make it seem as though Kim Soo-hyun was Kim Sae-ron's contact.
In fact, when Kim Se-ui was charged, the prosecution stated that it had been established that certain details had been altered or disseminated without sufficient verification.
Kim Se-ui is currently facing charges of defamation, violation of the Sexual Violence Act, harassment, attempted coercion, and threats. He is currently being held in custody pending trial.
A case that's taking a new turn
For several weeks now, the investigation appears to have been gradually shifting the focus of the case. While the initial allegations were primarily directed at Kim Soo-hyun, attention is now increasingly focused on the origin and authenticity of the material that was made public.
Korean authorities (including the Minister of Justice on X) have also announced their intention to enforce a zero-tolerance policy against the dissemination of false information and malicious content published online under the guise of public interest.
See in Threads
Kim Se-ui's trial will now determine who bears criminal responsibility in this case, which continues to rock the Korean entertainment industry.
In addition, Kim Se-ui, who is also facing charges in another case involving the YouTuber Tzuyang, reportedly failed to appear at a recent hearing, prompting the court to issue him a warning.
