Korean star Kim Soo-hyun, whose entertainment activities had come to a near-complete halt after being embroiled in controversies related to the late actress Kim Sae-ron, is now seeing a major turning point in the case as YouTube channel 'Horizontal and Vertical Research Institute' representative Kim Se-ui has been detained and prosecuted. Kim Soo-hyun's agency, GOLDMEDALIST, confirmed on the 8th that Kim Soo-hyun will head to the Philippines on July 14 to shoot an advertisement for a local fashion brand, marking his first official public schedule after nearly a year-long suspension.
On the 5th, GOLDMEDALIST announced the latest developments regarding their lawsuit against Kim Se-ui. Prosecutorial investigations found that since March last year, Kim Se-ui spread false rumors of a romantic relationship between Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron via his program 'Hoengsuru Research Institute', even fabricating claims linking Kim Soo-hyun to Kim Sae-ron's death. Investigators determined that Kim Se-ui used AI to forge Kim Sae-ron's voice and to fabricate KakaoTalk conversations. As the court considered there to be risks of escape and destruction of evidence, an arrest warrant was issued on May 26. Kim Se-ui filed for a legality review of his detention but was rejected on the 2nd. Currently, investigators have concluded he is suspected of violating multiple laws including the Information and Communications Network Act's defamation charges, the Anti-Stalking Act, the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes, attempted coercion, and threats, and has been formally handed over to prosecutors in a state of detention.
Despite a breakthrough in the criminal defense, Kim Soo-hyun still faces civil lawsuits. Health food company FromBIO has filed a damages suit against Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, seeking up to 3.96 billion won (approximately 10.4 million ringgit) in compensation; the Suwon District Court Civil Division will hold a hearing on the 10th.
News Source: ETtoday Star Cloud