Popular YouTuber Lee Jin Ho held a press conference on May 7 in Seoul to deny allegations made in an audio recording released by Garosero Research Institute. The recording claimed the late actress Kim Sae Ron accused Lee Jin Ho of harassing her before her death. Lee Jin Ho said the tapes were fake and created using AI technology by a scammer trying to extort money.
The controversial audio was shared by Garosero Research Institute, a YouTube channel known for exposing scandals. In the recording, Kim Sae Ron allegedly said Lee Jin Ho and a reporter named ‘Kang’ bullied her. She expressed fear that Lee Jin Ho would track her down even if she changed her phone number.
Lee Jin Ho strongly denied these claims. He said the recording was manipulated by a fraudster based in New Jersey who specializes in voice phishing scams. This person allegedly contacted both Lee Jin Ho and actor Kim Soo Hyun, demanding money in exchange for not releasing damaging fake recordings.
“The tapes were fabricated using AI-generated voices. A third party, this fraudster from New Jersey, added his voice and noise to the AI-generated audio, which was later passed off as a genuine recording.”
Lee Jin Ho explained that the scammer created three different versions of the audio. The first version had an unclear voice, but the second and third used advanced AI to mimic Kim Sae Ronโs voice almost perfectly. He said even people who knew Kim Sae Ron well were fooled into thinking the recordings were real.
Kim Soo Hyunโs agency, Gold Medalist, also dismissed the audio as fake. They said the same scammer approached them with manipulated recordings, asking for money. The agency plans to take legal action against Garosero Research Institute for spreading false information.
Kim Sae Ronโs family previously released chat logs and other evidence claiming Kim Soo Hyun had a relationship with her when she was underage. Kim Soo Hyun denied these allegations in an emotional press conference, saying they only dated when she was an adult.
The scandal has caused major damage to Kim Soo Hyunโs career. Brands like Prada and Dinto ended partnerships with him, and a Disney+ show he was starring in has been paused. His legal team has filed lawsuits against Kim Sae Ronโs family and Garosero Research Institute.
Lee Jin Ho warned the public about the dangers of AI-manipulated content. He said scammers are using advanced technology to create fake evidence and blackmail celebrities. He urged people to verify information before believing shocking claims.
“These fake testimonials and evidence are piling up just because we dated,” Kim Soo Hyun said earlier about the false allegations against him. His agency confirmed they are working with investigators to prove the audio recordings are AI-generated.
Kim Sae Ron was a rising star in South Korea before her career was affected by a drunk-driving incident in 2022. She died in February in what appeared to be suicide. Her family has continued to make claims against Kim Soo Hyun, which he denies.
Lee Jin Hoโs press conference was held at the SpaceShare Samsung Station Center in Gangnam. He provided details about the scammerโs methods and how the fake recordings were made. He said he stopped all communication with the fraudster after realizing the recordings were fake.
Fans of Kim Soo Hyun have shown support by sending trucks with messages near press conference venues. Meanwhile, legal battles continue as both sides present their evidence. Authorities are expected to investigate the AI manipulation claims further.
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