Kim Sae Ron's bereaved family releases an AI-generated memorial video of the late actress

Kim Sae Ron's bereaved family released a memorial video created using AI.

On March 14, Kwon Young Chan, head of the Korea Celebrity Suicide Prevention Association, uploaded a video titled "A Memorial Video for Kim Sae Ron Created by Her Bereaved Family Using AI" on his YouTube channel. The video description stated that it was provided by Kim Sae Ron’s family.

In the video, an AI-generated version of Kim Sae Ron said, "To everyone who loved and supported me, the time I spent with you is a collection of truly precious memories."

Addressing her fans, she continued, "I started acting at a young age, and there were many times when I fell short or may have disappointed you. Still, I sincerely want to thank the fans who believed in me and waited for me."

She also left a message for her friends and family, saying, "To my dear friends with whom I created so many memories, I was able to smile a lot because of you. Thank you, and I hope you won’t cry too much because of me." She added, "To my beloved family, thank you for always embracing me warmly, watching over me, and supporting me from my side."

She concluded with, "If you remember me in the future, please remember me as someone bright and warm."

Meanwhile, on March 17, Kim Sae Ron’s bereaved family filed a lawsuit against YouTuber Lee Jin Ho for defamation through the spread of false information. Their legal representative, Bu Ji Seok, the head attorney at Buyou Law Firm, held a press conference at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency the same day.

The family claims that since 2022, Lee Jin Ho has produced multiple videos about Kim Sae Ron, some of which contain false information.

Attorney Bu stated, "The main point of contention is whether Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron were in a relationship when she was a minor, and the fact that they dated is true. However, reporting that this was a 'fabrication by Kim Sae Ron' is clearly false."

Kim Sae Ron was found deceased at her residence in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on February 16. On March 10, YouTube channel HOVERLAB (Garo Sero Research Institute) cited a phone conversation with her family, claiming that actor Kim Soo Hyun had been in a six-year relationship with Kim Sae Ron since 2015, when she was 15 years old.

Initially, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, denied the relationship. However, after a photo of the two kissing on the cheek surfaced, they admitted on March 14 that they had dated but insisted that their relationship did not begin when Kim Sae Ron was a minor. The agency also denied that Kim Soo Hyun had ever lent her money or pressured her to repay any debts.