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Kim Soo-hyun is expected to appear before a South Korean court soon. According to a report published on Friday, November 6, 2026, by CBS NoCut News, the actor is expected to appear on November 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the Seoul Central District Court to testify in the criminal trial of Kim Se-ui, head of the controversial YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute (Gaseyeon). This report should be taken with a grain of salt, as his attorney, Koh Sang-rock, stated on social media that the information had not been confirmed.
This hearing marks a new legal development in the case that came to light in March 2025, following allegations of an alleged relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor.
According to the Korean media outlet, the testimony of Kim Soo-hyun will take place behind closed doors. However, this court appearance has not been officially confirmed by the actor's representatives. When asked about this by the Korean media StarNews, Kim Soo-hyun's attorney took a cautious stance, stating that it was «difficult to confirm» this information.
Thus, while CBS NoCut News reports that it will be present in court on November 11, Kim Soo-hyun’s legal team has not, at this time, confirmed its attendance at the hearing.
Kim Soo-hyun Summoned to Testify on November 11 in the Kim Se-ui Trial
According to information gathered by CBS NoCut News, Kim Soo-hyun is scheduled to appear as a witness before the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Hyun-kyung.
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Korean time.
The actor will testify in the trial of Kim Se-ui, who is being prosecuted for violations of South Korea’s Information and Communications Network Act, including defamation. The hearing is expected to be held behind closed doors.
This court appearance does not mean that Kim Soo-hyun is himself on trial in this case: he is scheduled to testify as a witness in the trial against Kim Se-ui.
25 videos accused of spreading false information and manipulated evidence
The charges against Kim Se-ui relate to the period between March and December 2025.
According to the CBS NoCut News article, the head of Gaseyeon is accused of posting 25 YouTube videos containing claims that the prosecution alleges are false, including the claim that Kim Soo-hyun had a 6-year relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor.
The prosecution believes that several pieces of evidence used to support these charges may have been distorted or tampered with. Among the evidence cited are photographs taken when the two actors were of legal age, screenshots of KakaoTalk conversations that are alleged to have been altered, and audio files that investigators believe to have been falsified.
According to the media report, further investigations—including, in particular, an analysis of audio recordings by the prosecutor’s office’s forensic unit—led the prosecution to conclude that Kim Se-ui had released these documents without conducting the necessary basic verifications.
These are the findings and charges reported in connection with the prosecution, not a final judgment on Kim Se-ui’s guilt.
This distinction is important because the trial is intended precisely to examine the allegations and the evidence presented by the various parties.
Charges of making threats and violating court orders
The proceedings do not pertain solely to the videos accused of defamation. Kim Se-ui is also being prosecuted for alleged threats against Kim Soo-hyun.
The prosecution accuses him, in particular, of posting a private photograph on YouTube showing the actor in his underwear, and then announcing further revelations about his personal life. These posts were reportedly accompanied by demands that Kim Soo-hyun acknowledge a relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor, as well as issue a public apology.
The case file also includes other facts: 34 instances of videos featuring Kim Soo-hyun’s name and photographs being posted online, which allegedly violated provisional measures ordered by the court.
These various charges will be examined as part of the criminal proceedings.
Another lawsuit filed to have the videos removed
In parallel with the criminal trial, Kim Soo-hyun has filed a civil lawsuit against Kim Se-ui seeking the removal of YouTube videos and an injunction against future posts related to his claim. This case is being heard by the 51st Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Hwang In-sung.
According to the Korean media outlet, the court must review the arguments and additional evidence submitted by both parties before rendering its decision.
The article does not announce any final decision regarding this request. November 11 will therefore be an important date in this case, as Kim Soo-hyun is expected to testify before the criminal court.
Since the hearing is scheduled to take place behind closed doors, its contents will not necessarily be made public. We will have to wait for official information or future court transcripts to learn about developments in the proceedings.
