Kim Soo Hyun claims 'Garo Sero Institute' fabricated KakaoTalk messages, calls for investigation

Actor Kim Soo Hyun’s representatives have strongly refuted claims made by YouTube channel 'Garo Sero Institute' (Gaseyeon) regarding alleged KakaoTalk messages exchanged with the late actress Kim Sae Ron, asserting that the conversations were fabricated. They also called for a full investigation into all materials possessed by the channel.

Attorney Go Sang Rok, representing Kim Soo Hyun, issued an official statement on October 13, stating, “The KakaoTalk messages from June 2016 disclosed by Gaseyeon were falsified — the sender was not Kim Soo Hyun, but the profile photo and name were manipulated to make it appear as though it was him.”

Go Sang Rok pointed out that in the released messages, the male sender makes no mention of his schedule or whereabouts, suggesting that “Gaseyeon and the bereaved family deliberately withheld parts of the conversation that could reveal the man’s actual movements.”

Earlier in March, Gaseyeon and attorney Boo Ji Seok, who represents Kim Sae Ron’s family, held a press conference releasing what they claimed were affectionate messages exchanged between Kim Soo Hyun and the late actress when she was still a minor. Boo Ji Seok explained that the purpose of the disclosure was “to put an end to reckless speculation and criticism directed at the deceased and her family.”

In response, Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team cited Gaseyeon CEO Kim Se Ui’s previous statements during a broadcast, where he said, “We created a group chat with the bereaved family, and they send us materials even at 3 or 4 a.m. We plan to release thousands of photos after the election.” Based on this, attorney Go Sang Rok urged authorities to seize and examine not only the materials publicly revealed on Gaseyeon’s broadcast but also any additional unreleased KakaoTalk messages, photos, and related data in the possession of both Gaseyeon and the family.

Kim Soo Hyun’s side is reportedly pursuing criminal charges and a civil lawsuit seeking 12 billion KRW (approximately 8.6 million USD) in damages against Gaseyeon and related parties.