table of content table of content
Two days after the Dispatch's revelations about tampered KakaoTalk screenshots, the’Kim Soo-hyun case was back at the Seoul Central District Court on October 15, 2026. Kim Se-ui, founder of the YouTube channel Garosero, appeared there for the second pretrial hearing in his defamation case against the actor.
He has been in custody since June and has requested release on bail. The prosecutor’s office strongly opposed this, arguing that releasing him would allow Kim Se-ui to resume his attacks against Kim Soo-hyun.
Kim Se-ui requests release on bail
Kim Se-ui appeared in court in prison garb. His attorney explained that he was being held in solitary confinement for security reasons and that this arrangement was harming his mental health. He also pointed out that the National Forensic Service had been unable to determine whether the recording attributed to Kim Sae-ron had been manipulated using artificial intelligence.
Taking the floor, Kim Se-ui insisted he had no reason to flee, as he said he was certain he would be acquitted. In particular, he cited his apartment in Apgujeong, valued at over 10 billion won and seized as a precautionary measure in connection with the civil lawsuit seeking approximately 15 billion won filed by Kim Soo-hyun against him and Kim Sae-ron’s family. He also claims to have been «demonized» by the media since his arrest.
Prosecutors fear a resurgence of attacks against Kim Soo-hyun
The prosecution dismissed these arguments. According to the prosecution, Kim Se-ui continues, from his cell, to send letters to relatives, who then share his views on YouTube. The prosecution also accuses him of using documents from the case file for purposes other than his defense.
If he were released, the risk of recidivism would be high: Kim Se-ui could resume his broadcasts, portray his release as an acquittal, and cause further harm to Kim Soo-hyun.
Regarding the voice analysis, the prosecution stated that it had removed certain elements—including these results—precisely out of concern that they might be misused in the defendant’s broadcasts. It accuses the defense of wrongly implying that there are no longer grounds for detention.
Kim Soo-hyun's defense team denounces an attempt to politicize the case
Kim Soo-hyun’s attorney addressed the request for a jury trial made by Kim Se-ui, which the court had denied after the first hearing in September. He pointed out that the defendant had justified this request on his shows by citing the need to combat a «powerful left-wing force.».
Above all, he highlighted the atmosphere at the outset of the case, in 2025. In his view, the reason the truth did not come to light sooner—and the reason the actor’s responses went largely unheard—was that it was socially unacceptable at the time to criticize the deceased or her family. He fears that Kim Se-ui is seeking to revive that atmosphere in court, or even to exploit the case for political purposes.
Kim Se-ui’s defense team, for its part, maintains that the reported facts are not false, citing notes, messages, photos, and the testimony of Kim Sae-ron’s mother. These arguments are now being challenged by the latest revelations: the 2016 conversations attributed to the actor were actually exchanged with another celebrity, and the sender’s name was allegedly replaced with that of Kim Soo-hyun.
Five witnesses summoned; next hearing on October 28
The prosecution announced its intention to call five witnesses during the trial. Among them is director Lee Ro-be (Lee Sa-rang), He is described as a member of Kim Soo-hyun’s family. He is reportedly being called in as a representative of Gold Medalist, the actor’s agency, in connection with the part of the case involving Kim Sae-ron’s family. Prosecutors are also considering summoning attorney Boo Ji-seok and Kwon Young-chan, though they have not yet specified the role of each individual.
These hearings are shaping up to be a turning point. Since the controversy began, Kim Soo-hyun and his entourage have primarily communicated through press releases, through their attorneys, or during the 2025 press conference. The trial will give them the opportunity to present their side of the story before judges, rather than just before the public.
The prosecution has also filed a motion to amend the indictment. Kim Se-ui’s defense team is rejecting it in its entirety, on the instructions of its client, and must set forth its position in writing.
The case has grown in scope since it was opened. Initially assigned to a single judge, the case was reassigned to a panel of three judges due to its nature—a procedure reserved for cases deemed sensitive or complex. Kim Se-ui is being prosecuted on three counts:
- defamation, for spreading false information about Kim Soo-hyun on 25 separate occasions, including a voice recording allegedly manipulated by AI; ;
- the broadcast of private images, for showing a photo of the actor partially undressed on the air; ;
- harassment, for threatening to release more photos in order to obtain a public apology and an acknowledgment of a relationship with Kim Sae-ron.
Financially, the noose is tightening. The prosecutor’s office has frozen 169.4 million won, consisting of at least 54.4 million in donations and 115 million in advertising revenue. During the police investigation, only about 5 million had been targeted; the division responsible for recovering criminal assets subsequently traced all of the company’s donation accounts.
His apartment in Apgujeong, which he cites as his main guarantee that he will not flee, is also currently up for auction. The auction was initiated by attorney Kim So-yeon, who is claiming approximately 120 million won in unpaid legal fees from him. However, the property is already encumbered by approximately 8.07 billion won in priority claims: 3.6 billion won in bank mortgages, 2 billion won in provisional attachments in favor of Gold Medalist, and 2.3 billion won in tax liens.
The decision on his request for release has not yet been made public. The preliminary proceedings will resume on October 28, 2026, a step that should help finalize the list of witnesses and evidence before the trial on the merits begins. Kim Se-ui is also on trial in two other cases: defamation of Cho Kuk’s son and harassment of YouTuber Tzuyang.
Stories to watch—if you will!
The day before, Gold Medalist had taken a tougher stance
This hearing comes the day after a statement from the Gold Medalist agency was posted on Instagram on October 14. In the statement, the agency notes that the allegations against Kim Soo-hyun regarding a violation of the Child Protection Act were dismissed, as investigators found no evidence of wrongdoing. For the agency, this is therefore no longer a controversy based on uncertain facts, but rather allegations that have been proven false.
Gold Medalist is also warning internet users. Reposting Kim Se-ui’s claims, sharing screenshots, thumbnails, or edited clips from Garosero’s shows—even without commentary or citing the source—will now be considered a new illegal act. Insults and veiled attacks—whether through initials or innuendo—are also targeted.
The agency is calling for the immediate removal of this content and states that it will pursue legal action—without seeking an out-of-court settlement—against the perpetrators who have already been identified. It is relying in particular on the revised version of the Law on Information and Communication Networks, which took effect on July 7, 2026, and which strengthens penalties for the dissemination of false information.
Source and source 2. Translation of the Gold Medalist legal notice at Kim Soo Hyun France.
