Kim Soo-hyun's Team Claims Kim Sae-ron's Voice Recording is AI-Generated Fake, Sparking Major Controversy

The Explosive Allegations: What Kim Sae-ron's Family Claims

The family of late actress Kim Sae-ron has ignited a major controversy by filing criminal charges against top Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun for alleged violations of child welfare laws. During a press conference held on May 7, 2025, in Seoul's Gangnam district, the legal representative of Kim Sae-ron's family, attorney Bu Ji-seok from the law firm Bu Yu, alongside Kim Se-eui, the representative of YouTube channel 'Garosero Research Institute,' made shocking allegations against the actor.

The most explosive claim came in the form of an alleged audio recording of Kim Sae-ron, supposedly made in January of this year, just a month before her death. In this 90-minute recording, a voice claimed to be Kim Sae-ron's states that she had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun since she was in middle school, specifically mentioning that their first intimate encounter occurred during the winter break of her second year in middle school.

The family's legal team asserted that Kim Soo-hyun had been dating Kim Sae-ron since she was a minor and had committed acts that violated child welfare laws regarding obscene acts and sexual abuse. They further claimed that Kim Soo-hyun had filed false accusations against the family for defamation, which prompted them to counter with charges of false accusation.

Kim Soo-hyun's Strong Denial and AI Manipulation Claims

Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, immediately issued a strong statement categorically denying all allegations. The agency declared that the voice recording presented at the press conference was 'completely fabricated' and 'created using AI technology.' According to their statement, the person who provided the recording to Garosero Research Institute had previously approached Gold Medalist claiming to have recordings of Kim Sae-ron making statements favorable to Kim Soo-hyun.

Gold Medalist described this individual as a 'scammer' who had demanded money from the agency while sending partial recordings that were determined to be manipulations of Kim Sae-ron's voice. The agency emphasized that they rejected all demands from this person and did not comply with any requests for payment.

The agency further characterized the press conference as another attempt at 'cyber terrorism' against Kim Soo-hyun by Garosero Research Institute, which they claim is trying to escape their own legal troubles related to defamation, stalking, and cyber sexual crimes against the actor. Gold Medalist described the situation as 'a new type of crime using AI' and 'a serious criminal act attempting to destroy Kim Soo-hyun's character based on forged evidence.'

YouTuber Lee Jin-ho's Investigation and Technical Analysis

Adding another layer to this complex situation, popular entertainment YouTuber Lee Jin-ho released a video titled 'Exclusive! Kim Sae-ron's Voice Manipulated. The Truth Behind Garosero's Public Scam' on his YouTube channel on May 7. In his video, Lee presented what he claimed was technical evidence that the recording had been fabricated.

According to Lee Jin-ho, the recording was analyzed and determined to be created using AI-generated voice technology, with additional noise and voice overlays added by what he described as a 'New Jersey scammer.' Perhaps most damning to the recording's credibility, Lee claimed that technical analysis showed the file itself was created not in January as claimed, but sometime after April of this year-after Kim Sae-ron had already passed away.

Lee Jin-ho also alleged that the same individual who provided the recording to Garosero Research Institute had approached Kim Soo-hyun's agency with demands for money, suggesting a potential extortion attempt. His investigation appears to support Kim Soo-hyun's agency's position that the recording is a sophisticated fake created using modern AI voice synthesis technology.

The Alleged Assault on the Informant

During the press conference, Kim Sae-ron's family representatives also made another serious allegation: that the person who provided them with the recording had been physically assaulted. They presented photographs purporting to show injuries sustained by this informant, suggesting that the attack was connected to their possession of the recording.

However, both Kim Soo-hyun's agency and Lee Jin-ho strongly contested this claim as well. Gold Medalist stated that the alleged 'assault photos' were simply images that could be easily found through internet searches, implying they were not authentic documentation of any actual assault connected to this case.

The agency categorically denied any involvement in any assault and characterized this allegation as yet another fabrication designed to damage Kim Soo-hyun's reputation. They emphasized that these false claims about orchestrating violence were particularly damaging and would be addressed in their forthcoming legal actions.

The Broader Context: A Months-Long Legal Battle

This latest development comes amid an already contentious legal dispute between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron's family that has been ongoing for several months. The tragic death of Kim Sae-ron in February 2025 has been followed by increasingly serious allegations from her family through the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute.

According to reports, Kim Sae-ron's family has been demanding that Kim Soo-hyun publicly acknowledge a relationship with the late actress during her minor years. The dispute has reportedly escalated to include potential lawsuits worth billions of won (millions of dollars).

On March 31, 2025, Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference at Stanford Hotel in Mapo-gu, Seoul, where he addressed the allegations regarding his relationship with Kim Sae-ron. While the specific details of his statements at that time were not included in the current reports, it appears that he denied the allegations, which subsequently led to the current escalation of legal actions.

Technical Verification and Future Legal Proceedings

Both sides have indicated that technical verification of the recording is either underway or completed. Kim Soo-hyun's agency stated they are conducting a technical analysis of the recording and will release the results when available. Meanwhile, Lee Jin-ho claimed that relevant authorities have already determined the recording to be fabricated.

The legal implications of this case are significant. If the recording is proven to be authentic, Kim Soo-hyun could face serious charges related to child welfare law violations. Conversely, if the recording is confirmed to be AI-generated, those who created and distributed it could face charges related to defamation, fabrication of evidence, and potentially extortion.

Gold Medalist has announced their intention to immediately file criminal complaints for defamation and other charges against Garosero Research Institute and others involved in what they characterize as a 'fabrication.' The agency emphasized that they view this as a serious crime utilizing new technology to damage a person's reputation and will pursue all available legal remedies.

The Cultural Impact and Public Reaction

This case has captured significant public attention in South Korea, highlighting the growing concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology to create convincing fake evidence. The ability to generate realistic-sounding voice recordings using AI has raised serious questions about how such technology might be weaponized in personal or legal disputes.

The controversy has sparked discussions across Korean online communities, with opinions divided. Some express skepticism about the timing and manner of the allegations, while others argue that the serious nature of the claims warrants thorough investigation regardless of how they emerged.

Media coverage has been extensive, with major news outlets like KBS, Chosun, and others providing regular updates on the developing situation. The case represents one of the first high-profile instances in South Korea where AI-generated content has become central to a major legal dispute involving public figures.

As the legal process unfolds, this case may establish important precedents for how the Korean legal system addresses evidence potentially created or manipulated using artificial intelligence technologies, particularly in high-stakes disputes involving public figures.