Garo Sero Sparks Outrage with BTS Mention Amid Legal Dispute Over Kim Soo-hyun and Late Kim Sae-ron Rumors
On March 10, YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute (Garo Sero) made a controversial statement, unexpectedly dragging BTS into an ongoing dispute involving actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
Garo Sero provocatively remarked, “Does Kim Soo-hyun not know who Kim Se-ui is? Legal action? BTS also said they would take legal action in the past. How did that turn out? They all ended up enlisting in the military. And now, just a Hallyu star who’s popular in China, Kim Soo-hyun? Our Garo Sero didn’t get information from just anywhere – we broadcasted based on materials and interviews directly received from actress Kim Sae-ron’s bereaved family. Go ahead and try legal threats against them, too.”
They continued their allegations, stating, “Tomorrow (March 11), a complaint regarding a minor-related sexual issue will be filed. Dating a middle school second-year student? Surely, they didn’t have a sexual relationship with a minor, right? From what I heard, someone seems to be filing a complaint tomorrow.”
The channel also issued a thinly veiled warning, saying, “If there’s any secret attempt to threaten or coerce the bereaved family, be warned. A scary man might just chew you up and spit you out. By the way, why didn’t you attend Kim Sae-ron’s funeral, which even Won Bin attended? As a human being, you should have fulfilled your basic duty.”
Meanwhile, a petition was also filed requesting restrictions on the activities of cyber journalist Lee Jin-ho, adding another layer to the escalating controversy.
However, Garo Sero’s remarks have sparked intense backlash, particularly from BTS’s global fanbase, ARMY. The channel has a history of making inflammatory comments regarding BTS’s military service, and this time, fans were outraged by how Garo Sero not only mentioned BTS out of nowhere but also distorted reality – suggesting that BTS members enlisted due to pressure from the channel’s attacks, when in fact, all members voluntarily enlisted, beginning with Jin, and are diligently fulfilling their military duties.
Prior to this, Garo Sero uploaded a video titled “Kim Soo-hyun Led to Kim Sae-ron’s Death,” making serious accusations against the actor. The video alleged that Kim Soo-hyun had been in a romantic relationship with Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor, spanning six years, and that his agency, Gold Medalist, had handled the fallout from her DUI accident, later sending a legal notice demanding the return of 700 million KRW (approximately 482,000 USD).
However, Gold Medalist firmly denied these claims, issuing a strong response:
“Garo Sero’s assertions are clearly false. The claims that Kim Sae-ron dated Kim Soo-hyun from the age of 15, that our agency mishandled the DUI incident, and that our managers are connected to YouTuber Lee Jin-ho are all malicious fabrications. These are unacceptable falsehoods, and we are considering the strongest possible legal action.”
As tensions continue to rise, all eyes are now on the legal repercussions and potential consequences for Garo Sero following their statements. The backlash from BTS’s fanbase, ARMY, has been particularly intense, with many calling out the channel for spreading misinformation and using BTS’s name to stir controversy. With growing public scrutiny and mounting criticism, it remains to be seen how Garo Sero will respond and whether legal actions will be taken against them in the wake of this escalating controversy.