The YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute has been making indiscriminate revelations about actor Kim Soo Hyun in relation to the passing of the late Kim Sae Ron. As public sentiment turns negative, concerns are growing as Kim Soo Hyun is reportedly experiencing severe anxiety symptoms.
Previously, on March 10, the channel claimed, based on testimonies from Kim Sae Ron’s bereaved family, that Kim Soo Hyun had been in a romantic relationship with the deceased actress for about six years, starting when she was just 15 years old. The channel has continued to release old photos of the two, fueling controversy. More pictures related to them are still being disclosed.
Notably, private photos have been released recklessly, including a recent picture of the two kissing, which has caused an online uproar. Furthermore, on March 14, the channel threatened to release additional images, making the issue an even hotter topic. It even claimed that it would sue Kim Soo Hyun for defamation of the deceased.
The problem, however, lies in the fact that “Garosero Research Institute” is known as a cyber wrecking channel. The term “cyber wrecker” refers to those who exploit negative issues online, much like a tow truck rushing to an accident scene to profit from it. “Garosero” has presented itself as aiming to “help Kim Sae Ron’s family,” soliciting donations while embedding bank transfer details on its channel. During a live broadcast on March 14, they openly stated their goal of reaching 1 million subscribers.
Many celebrities have suffered due to cyber wreckers. Notable cases include Jang Won Young (IVE), NewJeans, and YouTuber Tzuyang. A particularly tragic case was actor Lee Sun Kyun, who took his own life last year after being subjected to relentless online harassment. Sensational reporting, disguised as the public’s “right to know,” fuels malicious comments and leads to further incidents, creating an ongoing cycle of media exploitation. The spread of sensationalist, non-public-interest reporting has long been considered a serious ethical issue.
Kim Soo Hyun is now facing an uncontrollable fallout, with the controversy affecting his commercial endorsements and upcoming projects. Even the variety show “Good Day,” which he currently appears in, has been thrown into turmoil. Due to the escalating media storm, concerns are rising over his safety. A person claiming to be Kim Sae Ron’s mother even stated, “I’m worried that Kim Soo Hyun might make an extreme decision.”
However, “Garosero” continues its campaign, stating, “We won’t release the dishwashing photo today because we feel sorry for Kim Soo Hyun” while also threatening, “We are currently persuading the bereaved family, and if they agree, we will release the video as well.” This relentless exposure has led to Kim Sae Ron’s name being repeatedly mentioned and consumed online.
In a long statement that “Garosero” claimed was from Kim Sae Ron’s mother, the bereaved family did not focus on Kim Soo Hyun but instead expressed concerns about false reports and cyber wreckers, calling for institutional safeguards. The first step towards resolution must come through legal action. In response, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has declared its strongest legal action, while “Garosero” has also stated it will not avoid legal consequences. At this point, rather than fueling further public fatigue with baseless speculation and social media-fueled witch hunts, a well-structured fact-checking process is desperately needed.
Meanwhile, in an emergency statement released on March 14th, Gold Medalist attempted to clarify two major points. First, they acknowledged that Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron had dated in the past, but emphasized that their relationship did not begin when Kim Sae Ron was a minor. Instead, they stated that they were in a relationship from the summer of 2019, when she was an adult, until the fall of 2020. Secondly, regarding the 700 million KRW (approximately $530,000 USD) compensation claim sent to Kim Sae Ron, the agency stressed that there was no intent to pressure or coerce her.