Kim Se-ui arrested in Soo defamation case after AI audio finding
HoverLab head Kim Se-ui was taken into custody this week in the soo defamation case after police reportedly concluded that audio files used against Kim Soo-hyun were generated with artificial intelligence. The Seoul Central District Court approved an arrest warrant for him on Tuesday, with judges citing concerns about evidence destruction and flight risk.
Kim Soo-hyun Audio Files
The arrest warrant covered allegations of defamation, attempted coercion, intimidation and violations of laws related to distributing illegally produced content. Kim Se-ui denied the charges in court, saying, “The arrest warrant is filled with obvious falsehoods” and, “I do not acknowledge any of the charges.”
He also said, “National Forensic Service had said it was impossible to definitively determine whether the recordings were AI-generated.”
HoverLab and Kim Sae-ron
Kim Se-ui, who heads the YouTube channel HoverLab, also known as Garo Sero Institute, had previously accused Kim Soo-hyun of dating the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was still a minor. Kim Soo-hyun has repeatedly denied that claim and said at a tearful press conference on March 31 last year that their relationship began only after she became an adult.
Last year, Kim Se-ui held his own press conference and released what he said was an audio recording of Kim Sae-ron discussing details involving Kim Soo-hyun. The recording spread quickly online and fueled backlash against the actor, but local media reports now say police believe the audio was artificially generated using AI voice technology.
Seoul Gangnam Police Station
A detention warrant request from Seoul Gangnam Police Station, cited on May 21, said investigators believed Kim Se-ui spread false information for financial gain, including YouTube revenue. Police also reportedly concluded that KakaoTalk messages previously disclosed by his side had been manipulated.
Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist, have continued legal action against Kim Se-ui and others over alleged defamation and false information. With the warrant approved, the case now centers on the evidence police say was fabricated and how prosecutors will use that finding in the broader defamation case.
