Whistleblower admits to fabricating the Kim Sae Ron audio file released by Garo Sero Research Institute

Garo Sero Research Institute (HOVERLAB) has resumed its allegations against Kim Soo Hyun. However, their claims were immediately proven to be false as the whistleblower confessed to manipulating the audio tapes.

Previously, on May 7, the YouTube channel held a press conference and revealed shocking allegations about Kim Soo Hyun and the late Kim Sae Ron. During the press conference, HOVERLAB CEO Kim Se Eui and attorney Bu Ji Seok (from law firm Buyou) disclosed an audio recording of a private conversation between Kim Sae Ron and an anonymous whistleblower, identified as Mr.A. 

Additionally, Garo Sero Research Institute claimed that the whistleblower was targeted in an attempted murder following the meeting with the late actress. Kim Se Eui claimed that the whistleblower was stabbed nine times in the neck area and required 20 stitches.

Although the whistleblower initially alleged he had been stabbed in the neck area nine times with a weapon, he later changed his statement, saying the injury was to his arm instead. This was following the release of a video reportedly sent by the whistleblower, Mr. A. During the press conference, Kim Se Ui released the video, which contradicted claims made both by the Garo Sero Institute and the whistleblower.

In the video, Mr. A claimed he was discharged from the hospital six days after being attacked on May 1 (KST) in New Jersey, USA. He said he suffered severe lacerations on both arms and had to film the video using his right hand because he could not use his left. He showed wounds on his arms and hands that appeared to have been treated with antiseptic. He added, “My hand shakes when I try to film my right shoulder. Because of nerve issues, I can’t remove the bandage on my fingers by myself. Initially, the wounds wouldn't stop bleeding, but now they are clotting.”

In fact, the medical report Kim revealed stated that Mr. A had suffered a deep laceration on his right shoulder and had undergone suturing surgery. There was no confirmation of injuries to the upper right arm or neck, as both Mr. A and Kim previously claimed. This raised further questions, especially as Mr. A appeared to be using his supposedly injured right arm to film the video.

Additionally, it was discovered that photos of Mr. A’s neck and hand injuries shown by Kim Se Ui during the press conference were taken from a stock image website.

Responding to the controversy, Mr. A explained, “My white wife caused some misunderstandings. There was a lot of tension between us,” adding, “At the time of the incident, I couldn't contact my family directly. So I just sent a voice message to the (Garosero) producer explaining that the photos were from the hospital to show what the injuries looked like.”

He went on to say, “Isn’t it ridiculous to take photos of someone being stabbed? What wife would pull out a camera while her husband is being attacked?” expressing his anger.

Mr. A also admitted to deliberately sending a manipulated audio recording to actor Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist. As for his reasoning, he said, “I sent it to them on purpose. If I didn’t, they would have thought I was a spy. So I sent them something absurd on purpose,” though his explanation appeared incoherent.

Mr. A is the individual who claimed actress Kim Sae Ron told him she had dated actor Kim Soo Hyun in 2015, when she was a minor. He provided an audio file of Kim allegedly stating this to Garosero Research Institute.

However, the recording has come under heavy suspicion of being fabricated. On May 7, journalist-turned-YouTuber Lee Jin Ho held a press conference and presented a forensic report asserting the file was manipulated.

Lee Jin Ho stated, “The recording appears to have been created using AI-generated voice technology, with a third party, Mr. A, adding his own voice and background noise. I was stunned by how far AI has advanced.” He added, “This individual not only approached me but also attempted to extort a large sum from Kim Soo Hyun’s side. After reviewing the audio, Kim Soo Hyun’s team simply dismissed it.”