Disclaimer: This article contains graphic images that some readers may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
Stabbed in the Neck 9 Times? The Man Claiming to Have Kim Sae Ron Audio Changes Story, Admits to Fake Photo
The man who claimed to have an audio file involving the late actress Kim Sae Ron initially alleged he was attacked and stabbed nine times in the neck by two strangers in the U.S. However, within half a day, his story changed. He stated he was only injured in the arm, and a medical report revealed a stab wound solely on his right shoulder.
The injury photo provided to Kim Se Ui, head of the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute (also known as HoverLab Inc.), was found to be a stock image from a website.
The man attributed this to a misunderstanding caused by his American wife. He also admitted that the audio recording, which he intentionally sent to Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, was fabricated. However, he gave inconsistent explanations for sending it.
The controversial recording allegedly features the late Kim Sae Ron claiming she dated Kim Soo Hyun when she was a minor. However, YouTuber Lee Jin Ho released a forensic voice analysis report indicating the voice in the recording was an AI-generated synthetic voice.
Lee also stated that the man approached Kim Soo Hyun’s agency demanding a large sum of money. Kim Soo Hyun’s representatives confirmed the recording’s content was false and chose to ignore it.
Reporter Kang Kyung Yoon Files Police Complaint Against HoverLab’s Kim Se Ui
Other individuals whose names were mentioned in the press conference and the audio recording have stated that “the claims are false” and have filed legal complaints, expressing their intention to take legal action.
Journalist Kang Kyung Yoon announced on May 8th that she had filed a complaint against Kim Se Ui, head of HoverLab. This followed a press conference the previous day in which Kim released a voice recording, allegedly of the late Kim Sae Ron, claiming she had dated Kim Soo Hyun when she was a minor. Kim also accused Kang of threatening the man with the audio file in New Jersey.
Kang refuted the allegations, stating, “This alleged informant, whom I believe is a con man, contacted me in early April. I never trusted him because he’s the type who seeks money and has an unclear identity, so I ignored him.” She insisted the recording presented at the press conference was a deepfake, using AI to fabricate the late actress’s voice.
Kang added, “Friends of the late Kim Sae Ron contacted me after the press conference, saying things like, ‘She would never talk like that, using foul language constantly,’ and, ‘We’re shocked and hurt by what’s happening.’” She emphasized that the content of the AI-generated recording is clearly false and doesn’t need detailed analysis to prove it.
To refute the claims, Kang presented her immigration records showing that she had not traveled abroad between January 1st and May 5th. She stated that her husband urged her to immediately obtain the document while watching the press conference. She did so and spoke up during YouTuber Lee Jin Ho’s press event. “If I stayed silent, I might never get another chance to clear my name. I have never set foot in New Jersey and never even spoke to this so-called informant. I hope the police investigate quickly, not just for my reputation but to end this hellish confusion,” she concluded.
In addition, those whose real names were mentioned during the press conference by Kim Se Ui—such as attorney Ko Sang Rok, attorney Kang Yong Seok, and Media Watch CEO Byun Hee Jae—have also publicly declared their intent to pursue both civil and criminal legal action.
>> Kim Soo Hyun’s Team Slams HoverLab for Using ‘Fake Assault Photos Off Internet’ to Incriminate Him
