Shocking twist: Claims pushed by Hover Lab surrounding actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late Kim Sae-ron have been exposed as AI manipulation, sending shockwaves online. As the truth unfolds, a viral timeline separating verified facts from fabricated rumors about the pair is spreading across the internet.
On the 27th, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency Gold Medalist stated, "Investigations confirmed that the various allegations and 'evidence' raised by Hover Lab are not true." Following the probe, Hover Lab’s head, Kim Se-eui, was arrested on charges including spreading false information, marking a major turning point in the case.
According to investigators, most of Hover Lab’s sensational “exposés” were baseless. Rumors that the two dated when Kim Sae-ron was 15 and that an audio file of sexual activity from her middle school years existed had no substantiated evidence. Most shockingly, the alleged leaked private KakaoTalk messages between the two—widely circulated online—were confirmed to be fakes maliciously generated using AI.
Still, amid the noise, parts of their intertwined past and timeline have been verified as true. During his military service, Kim Soo-hyun sent letters to Kim Sae-ron when she was 17 (a minor). While on leave, he reportedly spent time with her as she cooked dakbokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken stew). It was also confirmed that the two did, in fact, date.
In addition, the so-called “mannequin video” Kim Soo-hyun sent to Kim Sae-ron and the backstory behind Kim Sae-ron once posting a two-shot photo with him on her social media—while his agency publicly distanced itself by saying they “knew nothing”—have also surfaced.
Controversy that the agency demanded 700 million KRW from Kim Sae-ron was clarified as a standard accounting procedure, not a punitive claim. The tragic coda: on February 16, 2025—Kim Soo-hyun’s birthday—the late Kim Sae-ron passed away, a fact that left the public heartbroken.
As the full picture emerged, reactions split hard online. Some argued, "Just because Hover Lab’s evidence was fabricated doesn’t erase every past action or moral issue. He should never return," showing a cold stance. Others countered, "Kim Soo-hyun is also a victim who suffered massive damage from malicious AI-forged rumors," and, "Their ending is both shocking and heartbreaking," fueling a strong wave of sympathy.
With public opinion fiercely divided, attention now turns to what comes next for Kim Soo-hyun, who has halted activities. All eyes are on whether Disney+ will release the original series knockoff—previously put on indefinite hold—and if he will be able to return to the public eye.