Whistleblower claims attempted murder after refusing bribe over Kim Soo Hyun scandal tapes

Garosero Research Institute (HoverLab) held a press conference on May 7 in Samseong-dong, Seoul, unveiling shocking allegations involving the late actress Kim Sae Ron and actor Kim Soo Hyun. 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, referred to as 'A,' alongside details of an alleged physical assault and continuous threats.

Whistleblower A shared a video showing his current physical condition, stating, “This was filmed when I briefly returned home while still hospitalized.” He emphasized that he had not been discharged from the hospital. According to A, he was stabbed nine times in the neck on May 1 in New Jersey by two assailants: a Korean man identified as Kim Han Goo and another individual believed to be of Chinese-Korean descent, whose identity has not been confirmed.

According to A, he had been continuously harassed by individuals allegedly linked to Kim Soo Hyun, including lawyers from LKB & Partners, entertainment reporters Lee Jin Ho, Kang Kyung Yoon, and YouTuber Eun Hyun Jang (known as jangsin). He stated that Lee Jin Ho had offered up to 1 billion KRW (about $730,000) in exchange for the recording, but he rejected all such proposals. A believes the refusal led directly to the violent attack.

During the press conference, HoverLab released a conversation recording from January 10 between Kim Sae Ron and A, reportedly captured at a cafe in New Jersey. CEO Kim described A as a long-time acquaintance of Kim Sae Ron and a figure familiar with the entertainment industry.

In the recording, Kim Sae Ron claimed she had dated Kim Soo Hyun from middle school until college and described his agency, Gold Medalist, as “terrifying people who are capable of anything.” She said she had been used since middle school and was portrayed as mentally unstable after her DUI incident. She also alleged Kim Soo Hyun once showed her intimate photos involving another actress and saved the names of female celebrities in his phone by scent. Kim stated that her first sexual encounter with Kim occurred during her second year of middle school, saying in retrospect, it felt non-consensual.

HoverLab explained that the whistleblower’s family pleaded for partial public disclosure, fearing further escalation. Kim Se Eui labeled the incident a “clear case of attempted murder” and said the FBI is currently investigating the case in the United States.

Attorney Bu Ji Seok confirmed that Kim Soo Hyun has been reported to the Seoul Metropolitan Police for violating the Child Welfare Act and for filing false accusations. “Despite dating Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor, Kim Soo Hyun has filed a defamation suit against the bereaved family,” Bu said. “The family has now filed a countersuit for false accusation.”