A controversial audio recording claiming to feature the late actress Kim Sae Ron discussing her past relationship with actor Kim Soo Hyun has sparked heated debates online. The recording, revealed at a May 7, 2025 press conference by her family’s legal team, alleges the two had a relationship when she was a minor. Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, GOLDMEDALIST, has strongly denied the claims, calling the recording AI-generated and part of a blackmail scheme.
The Allegations and the Audio
At the press conference in Seoul, lawyer Bu Ji-seok and Garo Sero Institute (also known as HoverLab) played an audio clip where a voice resembling Kim Sae Ron’s claims she first had a sexual relationship with Kim Soo Hyun during middle school. The voice says, “The first time we did it was when I was in 8th grade, during the winter vacation.” The recording also includes disturbing details about their relationship, leading to public outrage.
Kim Soo Hyun’s agency quickly responded, stating the audio was fabricated using AI. They revealed the person who provided the recording had previously demanded money from them, calling the individual a “fraudster.” The agency shared:
“This audio file is entirely fabricated. GOLDMEDALIST has determined that the recording was created using AI or similar technology. The individual who provided this audio file is a fraudster who also approached us, demanding money.”
The debate over the recording’s authenticity has divided netizens. Some believe the voice sounds unnatural, raising suspicions of AI manipulation. Others argue the details are too specific to be fake.
Online reactions include:
“You could probably filter all of this out with an investigation.” “I swear on everything, I’m not a fan of Kim Soo-hyun, but Kim Soo-hyun is seriously gross — a criminal. Still, the way of speaking sounded a bit unnatural.” “It’s definitely not AI; it’s clearly a human voice. But the lines felt like they were narrating or explaining the situation… maybe because they knew it was being recorded? Still, if they faked that, the consequences in court would be huge — would they really have taken that risk?” “Again, I swear on everything, I’m absolutely 100000000% not a Kim Soo-hyun fan, but the recording itself does sound unnatural. Especially the line “He’s a total psycho” — he says it twice, and the tone is exactly the same both times.“
AI voice-cloning technology has advanced significantly, making it possible to replicate voices with high accuracy. Experts note that forensic analysis would be needed to confirm if the recording was artificially generated.
Legal Battles and Fake Photos
GOLDMEDALIST has filed lawsuits against Garo Sero Institute and the alleged blackmailer for defamation, stalking, and evidence tampering. They also disputed a photo presented at the press conference, claiming it showed an injured whistleblower. The agency proved the image was a stock photo found online, further questioning the credibility of the allegations.
Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team stated:
“HoverLab’s press conference was a cyberattack using fabricated evidence. We will take strong legal action to protect Kim Soo Hyun’s reputation.”
If the recording is proven real, Kim Soo Hyun could face serious legal consequences, including charges under South Korea’s Child Welfare Act. However, if AI manipulation is confirmed, the case could set a precedent for how deepfake evidence is handled in court.
The police are expected to conduct a technical analysis of the audio. Meanwhile, Kim Soo Hyun’s fans have shown support, sending trucks with messages near the press conference venue.
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