Garo Sero Exploits Kim Soo-hyun & Kim Sae-ron Controversy: A Donation Scheme Disguised as Justice?

Recently, an article on OSEN shared insights into the impact of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute, which is gaining attention on South Korean social media.

Below is the translation of the information.

Garo Sero’s Controversial Involvement in Kim Sae-ron’s Case

The YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute has been repeatedly using the late actress Kim Sae-ron to create controversy. Garosero claims to be “helping the bereaved family.” However, it has been accepting donations through this issue and even asked viewers to “help them reach one million subscribers.” This raises questions about their true intentions.

Previously, Garo Sero claimed based on statements from Kim Sae-ron’s family that she had been in a six-year relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun. At the time, she was only 15 and still a minor. The channel has continued to release past photos of the two, fueling controversy. Currently, they are releasing additional pictures related to the pair.

Kim Soo-hyun’s Denial and Gold Medalist’s Response

Amid speculations about further revelations of their private lives, OSEN exclusively reported on March 14 the reason behind Kim Soo-hyun’s sudden reversal of his previous denial of dating Kim Sae-ron. His agency, Gold Medalist, initially denied the rumors in 2023. However, in an official statement, they later admitted that Kim Soo-hyun had dated Kim Sae-ron between the summer of 2019 and the fall of 2020, when she was already an adult.

A Gold Medalist representative cautiously explained to OSEN, “Given the seriousness of the issue, our official statement was released urgently, so we ask for understanding regarding any shortcomings.” The agency further clarified that “both Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron had already broken up four years prior, making it difficult to confirm the relationship at the time.”

Kim Soo-hyun now finds himself in a difficult position, as Garo Sero has accused him of a “grooming crime,” claiming he had been dating Kim Sae-ron since she was 15. Gold Medalist’s emergency statement aimed to clarify two key points. First, while Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron had dated, it was only from 2019 when she became an adult. Second, the agency had no malicious intent in sending a legal notice to Kim Sae-ron regarding a 700 million won damage claim.

However, Garo Sero has hinted at further revelations and launched a live broadcast on the same evening. During the stream, they stated, “We will refrain from discussing Kim Soo-hyun because Kim Sae-ron’s mother is worried about him making an extreme decision. We will not release the dishwashing photos today.” They claimed to have received a message from Kim Sae-ron’s mother and read it aloud using an AI-generated voice. Yet, the authenticity of this statement remains unverified.

Cyber-Rekka and the Spread of Misinformation

Moreover, Garo Sero Research Institute is widely known as a “cyber wrecking crew” (cyber-rekka) a term likening them to tow trucks that rush to accident scenes. Cyber-rekka refers to YouTubers who create sensationalized videos to exploit trending issues for views and profit from controversies. Many celebrities have fallen victim to these channels, and Kim Sae-ron had previously expressed distress over being their target. Now, Kim Soo-hyun is also being subjected to reckless, provocative news reports in the wake of her passing.

During their latest broadcast, Garo Sero even mocked Kim Soo-hyun’s appearance, using derogatory language and repeatedly cursing at him. Meanwhile, they continued bringing up Kim Sae-ron’s past videos to drive engagement. They solicited donations by adding a sponsorship account, raising doubts about their goodwill toward the bereaved family.

Adding to the controversy, Garo Sero displayed its political bias by referencing its opposition to impeachment. It appeared to exploit the Kim Sae-ron & Kim Soo-hyun controversy for its own gain. They even urged viewers to “help them reach one million subscribers,” exposing their true agenda.

In response, the individual claiming to be Kim Sae-ron’s mother stated in the broadcast, “I want to restore the honor of a child whose life was ruined in an instant and set a legal precedent to punish malicious cyber-rekka crimes.” They also criticized how the issue is being exaggerated and sensationalized over a few photos.

However, Garo Sero’s actions seem to contradict the supposed wishes of Kim Sae-ron’s family. Constant discussion of the late actress has fueled baseless rumors, including pregnancy and abortion speculation. This continuous rehashing of the controversy only amplifies misinformation and prolongs the cycle of public scrutiny. Concerns are growing over how Kim Soo-hyun has now become the center of attention in this controversy.

Calls for Legal Action and Fact-Checking

Gold Medalist has announced its intention to take the strongest legal action against cyber-rekka. Garo Sero has also stated that they are prepared for legal consequences.

At this point, instead of engaging in further baseless speculation and emotionally charged narratives, it is necessary to adopt a more objective fact-checking approach. This will help prevent the reckless spread of misinformation.