In a development that’s already sparking heated debate, actor Kim Soo-hyun’s camp struck a cautious tone about when he might return to work—while doubling down on a powerful legal offensive against Kim Se-eui, head of YouTube channel HoverLab Inc., who is currently in custody on suspicion of spreading false information.
On June 1, Kim Soo-hyun’s attorney Go Sang-rok appeared on YTN Radio’s Seulgiroun Radio Saenghwal and, when asked about the actor’s comeback timeline, said, “His agency is carefully deliberating the specifics.” He added, “We’ll see this through to the end so the actor can stand before the public again with a new project.” Go emphasized, “The actor suffered an enormous cybercrime, with his honor and character nearly destroyed. He is now in the process of restoring his reputation, and above all, returning to normal daily life is the top priority.” He continued, “Rather than fixating on the ‘30 billion won’ figure alone, what matters is that the truth is coming to light. It’s crucial that society welcomes and supports the actor so he can return to his rightful place.”
The team also previewed civil liability claims against Kim Se-eui. “Criminal punishment is important, but obtaining a strict legal judgment through a civil damages suit is also very important,” Go said. “To prevent these kinds of cybercrimes from recurring, civil responsibility must be clearly enforced—and it needs to be strong enough to deter anyone from repeating the same conduct.”
Go further explained that if a massive damages award is recognized, it may be difficult for Kim Se-eui to cover it with his personal assets alone. He also stressed that damage claims arising from malicious unlawful conduct differ from ordinary debts, implying they are difficult to discharge or reduce even through bankruptcy or individual rehabilitation procedures.
Regarding Kim Se-eui’s public disclosure of the arrest warrant request, Go noted, “It’s very rare for a warrant application to exceed 30 pages,” adding, “We understand this to mean the prosecution and police are quite confident about proving the allegations against Kim Se-eui and his accomplices.”
The controversy began with allegations involving the late Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun. In March 2024, while reflecting after a DUI incident, Kim Sae-ron briefly uploaded a close selfie with Kim Soo-hyun to her social media—then deleted it about three minutes later—triggering dating rumors. At the time, Kim Soo-hyun’s agency Gold Medalist firmly denied the claims as groundless.
Kim Sae-ron later passed away on February 16 last year, and Kim Se-eui—alongside the late actor’s family—appeared on broadcasts and held press conferences alleging that Kim Soo-hyun had a long-term relationship with her when she was a minor. They released purported messenger screenshots, audio recordings, and other private materials, and further claimed that pressure to repay debts from Kim Soo-hyun’s side contributed to her death.
In response, Kim Soo-hyun held a press conference in March last year, stating, “I did not date the deceased when she was a minor,” and asserted that some of the materials presented by the family were fabricated.
Separately from the criminal proceedings now underway, Kim Soo-hyun’s side is actively reviewing civil lawsuits, including a large-scale damages claim, signaling an unyielding legal stance. Meanwhile, a detention warrant validity review requested by Kim Se-eui is scheduled to be held at the Seoul Central District Court on the 2nd.