Kim Soo-hyun requests YouTube to shut down Garo Sero Research Institute

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun’s legal team has formally requested that YouTube shut down the channel ‘Garo Sero Research Institute’ (Gaseyeon) and remove 30 videos containing defamatory content. The request, made earlier this month, cites violations of YouTube’s policies regarding harassment and cyberbullying.

Kim’s legal representative, attorney Go Sang-rok, stated that the channel used false evidence, including AI-manipulated voice recordings, to defame and threaten the actor. The legal team argued that deleting individual videos is insufficient to prevent repeated attacks and secondary damage, necessitating the closure of the entire channel.

The channel’s operator, Kim Se-ui, was previously arrested and indicted on charges including defamation and spreading false information. Specifically, Kim Se-ui had alleged that Kim Soo-hyun was involved in a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron during her minority and that his actions contributed to her death. However, investigations by the police and prosecution have cleared Kim Soo-hyun of these allegations, finding no evidence to support the claims.