SBS reporter files complaint against YouTuber over audio clip of Kim Sae-ron

Attorney Bu Ji-seok, left, representing the family of the late Kim Sae-ron, and Hoverlab head Kim Se-eui hold a press conference at a shared office in Gangnam District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

SBS reporter Kang Kyung-yoon has filed a criminal complaint against Kim Se-eui, head of the far-right YouTube channel Hoverlab (Garo Sero Research Institute), over a controversial press conference in which Kim released what he claimed was an audio recording of the late actress Kim Sae-ron.

Kang has strongly denounced the clip as a fake, allegedly generated using artificial intelligence.

In a blog post on Thursday, Kang said, “I filed the complaint today and pleaded for a swift investigation. I hope this chaotic and hellish situation comes to an end.”

The press conference, held the previous day by Kim and lawyer Bu Ji-seok representing Kim Sae-ron’s family, claimed that the actress had been in a sexual relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun since she was in middle school.

Kim claimed the audio was secretly recorded at a cafe in New Jersey on Jan. 10 and involved Kim Sae-ron speaking to a whistleblower about her relationship with Kim. He also accused Kang of flying to the U.S. to intimidate the whistleblower and alleged that others, including entertainment officials and YouTuber Lee Jin-ho, offered billions of won for the recording.

The conversation between the whistleblower and the late Kim Sae-ron included not only remarks about actor Kim Soo-hyun, but also sensitive claims that she felt distressed by reporter Kang's allegedly negative coverage.

YouTube channel Hoverlab head Kim Se-eui, right, exits a shared office in Seoul’s Gangnam District after a press conference, Wednesday, as a protest truck from Kim Soo-hyun’s fan club is seen parked outside the venue. Yonhap

Kang firmly rebutted the accusations, saying that the whistleblower had contacted her in early April, but she immediately deemed the person untrustworthy due to suspicious behavior and unclear identity. She emphasized that she had never spoken with the individual, nor had she traveled to New Jersey.

To support her claim, Kang released her immigration records from Jan. 1 to May 5, which showed she had not left South Korea.

“My husband called during the press conference and urged me to request the records immediately,” she said. “I presented them on-site at YouTuber Lee Jin-ho’s own rebuttal press conference. I couldn’t remain silent and risk losing the chance to defend myself.”

Kang also dismissed the recording itself as fake. “It’s clearly a manipulated file using AI to mimic the late actress’s voice,” she wrote, adding that the language used — filled with vulgarities and personal attacks — was not consistent with how Kim Sae-ron spoke, according to her friends. “This doesn’t require expert analysis. It’s obviously fabricated.”

The controversy stems from claims by Kim Sae-ron’s family, who have held press conferences alleging she was in a six-year relationship with Kim Soo-hyun, which began while she was underage. Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, initially denied the relationship entirely but later acknowledged the two had dated for about a year after Kim reached adulthood.

Following Kim Se-eui’s press conference, YouTuber Lee Jin-ho held his own event, presenting a forensic analysis that concluded the voice recording was manipulated. Lee also claimed the same whistleblower approached him last month and even used a fake injury photo that was easily found through a Google search. Lee denied ever offering money for the recording, calling Kim’s claims “absurd.”

SBS reporter Kang Kyung-yoon holds up a copy of the complaint she filed with police against Kim Se-eui, Wednesday. Captured from her blog

Gold Medalist, Kim Sae-ron's former agency, also issued a statement, saying the whistleblower had attempted to extort money in exchange for the manipulated recording. “We rejected all demands,” the agency said. “The press conference was a malicious cyberattack by Garo Sero Institute, grounded in defamation, stalking, digital sex crimes, and evidence fabrication.”

The agency added that it would take immediate legal action against Kim Se-eui for violating stalking-related laws.

As public scrutiny intensifies, Kang said her legal response was not only to defend her reputation but to stop the spread of AI-generated misinformation. “I never imagined I would become a victim of deepfake abuse. But I refuse to stay silent.”

This article is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.