Kim Soo-hyun: AI used to fake evidence that ended South Korean actor's career, say police

South Korean police are seeking an arrest warrant for a YouTuber accused of fabricating evidence to defame actor Kim Soo-hyun. Authorities allege that the YouTuber, Kim Se-ui, manipulated text message screenshots and utilized artificial intelligence to generate a fake audio recording, fueling a scandal that effectively ended the career of the once-prominent household name.

Fabricated Evidence and AI Manipulation

According to police, the YouTuber—who manages a channel with nearly one million followers—presented a voice recording that appeared to feature the late actress Kim Sae-ron claiming she had been in a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun since her middle school years. Investigators have since determined that the audio was generated using AI.
Furthermore, authorities allege that the YouTuber manipulated screenshots of text messages from the actress’s phone to create the false impression that she had been communicating with Kim Soo-hyun. Police state that these actions were taken for financial gain, with a filing reported by the news outlet JoongAng Ilbo noting that the YouTuber’s conduct "collapsed Kim Soo-hyun's social base and his economic activities across the board, and destroyed the basis for his professional survival."

A Career Upended by Scandal

The allegations surfaced following the death of Kim Sae-ron, who died at the age of 24. Rumors regarding a relationship between the two actors gained significant traction after the YouTuber published the falsified audio and text evidence, with the actress's family publicly supporting the claims. While Kim Soo-hyun’s agency initially denied the relationship, the actor later confirmed they had dated for one year, but only after the actress had reached adulthood.
During a tearful press conference in March 2025, Kim Soo-hyun maintained his innocence regarding the underage dating allegations, stating, "I can't admit to something I didn't do." That same month, he filed criminal complaints and lawsuits against the YouTuber and the actress's family.

The Impact on the Actor’s Life

The scandal has had a profound effect on Kim Soo-hyun, who has not made any official public appearances since the accusations were made. Once a star of multiple hit television shows and advertisements, his professional life has come to a standstill; the release of the Disney+ series Knock-Off, which he was working on when the scandal broke, has been indefinitely postponed.
Police report that the actor is still receiving psychiatric treatment as a result of the ordeal. The YouTuber, Kim Se-ui, has posted a video claiming that the authorities' allegations are a "subterfuge meant to disrupt his investigation." Neither Kim Soo-hyun nor his agency have commented on the police application for an arrest warrant.