![Actor Kim Soo-hyun (left) and Kim Se-eui, head of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/02/news-p.v1.20260602.291ed6b085ef4dbab84fa8351e313498_P1.jpg)
Actor Kim Soo-hyun's (38) legal team has reiterated its intent to pursue sweeping civil damages against Kim Se-eui, 49, head of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute, who was detained on charges of spreading false information about the late actress Kim Sae-ron.
Ko Sang-rok, the attorney representing Kim Soo-hyun, appeared on YTN's radio program "Wise Radio Lifestyle" on June 1 and said that while criminal punishment for severe cyberbullying is important, securing strict civil liability through damages claims is equally critical.
"When Kim Se-eui is released back into society, we must dismantle his economic foundation so he cannot repeat this behavior," Ko said, adding that a landmark ruling imposing heavy civil liability is needed to send a clear deterrent message.
Ko said that if a large damages award is recognized, Kim Se-eui's assets would likely be insufficient to cover it. "If he cannot repay the full amount, he will have to live the rest of his life carrying astronomical debt," he said.
Ko also signaled an uncompromising legal stance, saying that damages arising from unlawful conduct cannot be discharged or reduced even through personal rehabilitation or bankruptcy proceedings.
Ko had said on MBC Radio's "Today Morning Call" on May 28 that the legal team was considering raising its damages claim from 12 billion won (about $7.94 million) to 30 billion won.
He said no final decision had been made. "Rather than fixating on the figure of 30 billion won, the actor's return to everyday life is the top priority," he said.
Ko said Kim Soo-hyun's reputation and dignity had been brought to the brink of destruction but that the truth was now coming to light. "I think what matters more is for our society to welcome him back warmly and create an atmosphere of support so that actor Kim Soo-hyun can return to where he belongs," he said.
Kim Se-eui was detained on May 26 on charges of spreading false claims — through Garosero Research Institute broadcasts and press conferences held between March and May last year — that the late actress had dated Kim Soo-hyun for about six years beginning when she was 15, and that pressure from Kim Soo-hyun's side to repay debts was the direct cause of her death.
Police believe Kim Se-eui received a screenshot of a KakaoTalk conversation from the bereaved family around June 2016 in which the other party was listed as "unknown," then edited the content to replace that name with "Kim Soo-hyun." Investigators also believe he used AI to manipulate the late actress's voice and fabricate audio suggesting she had referenced a relationship with Kim Soo-hyun.
yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com
