What started as a major scandal involving Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun and the late actress Kim Sae-ron is now entering a different phase. After months of heated online debate and media scrutiny, the tide of public opinion is shifting—dramatically.
The Allegations Collapse
Originally, Garosero Institute (a controversial YouTube channel) and Kim Sae-ron’s family alleged that Kim Soo-hyun had maintained a romantic relationship with Kim Sae-ron from the time she was a minor, claiming it began in 2016. However, mounting contradictions have begun to unravel the narrative.
Most notably, new evidence has surfaced that Kim was dating another idol-turned-actress between 2016 and 2019—making the alleged overlap with Kim Sae-ron impossible. Additionally, images claimed to have been taken in 2016 were proven to be captured using an iPhone 11, which wasn’t released until late 2019. The metadata didn’t lie, and this alone deeply damaged the credibility of the accusations.
Further discredit came when Garosero claimed an informant had been stabbed in New Jersey. That story quickly unraveled under scrutiny, especially after the Korean Consulate in New York publicly denied any record of such an incident. Moreover, the wounds mentioned didn’t match the initial narrative, raising suspicions of fabrication.
Domestic Reaction: Sympathy Returns
As the scandal loses traction, domestic online communities are reacting with increasing support for Kim Soo-hyun. Popular comments emphasize the damage done by unverified accusations and call for legal consequences for the parties involved.
Top Korean Comments (Source : Nate)
“Why did he lie in the first place? He kept saying they weren’t even close.” (👍 1,203 / 👎 314)
“This isn’t about evidence anymore. His image is ruined either way.” (👍 1,021 / 👎 220)
“No one forced him to act like a saint. He set himself up for this.” (👍 957 / 👎 157)
“It’s hard to believe anything now. One denial, one contradiction after another.” (👍 813 / 👎 195)
“He’s just playing victim now. Damage is done.” (👍 674 / 👎 132)
“Proof or not, people already made up their minds.” (👍 587 / 👎 119)
“He acted like he had nothing to hide. Turns out he had a lot.” (👍 489 / 👎 100)
“Not illegal, but definitely immoral. That’s enough for the public to walk away.” (👍 432 / 👎 88)
Many netizens are also demanding that the delayed Disney+ drama Knock Off, which stars Kim, be released now that his innocence appears more likely.
Global Response: Justice Over Hysteria
International reactions, particularly in English-speaking communities, have also evolved. Where initial shock once reigned, skepticism toward the accusers is now common.
Top Global Comments (Source : allkpop)
“I seriously do not understand how there are still people who believe KSR’s family and garosero… you just wanted Kim Soo-hyun to lose his career.” (👍 24)
“I also hope that the ‘Kim Soo Hyun’ act appears in which those who accuse innocent people… are subject to long jail terms.” (👍 23)
“Disney should also sue Gaseyeon and the family. This was all their making.” (👍 18)
“KSH has suffered a lot from the mere accusation. His reputation has been harmed, possibly irreparably.” (👍 18 / 👎 4)
“At the end of the day, factual evidence will speak for itself. Garosero has yet to clarify any of the discrepancies.” (👍 16)
“Now comes the end of the greatest cyberwrecking campaign. Hope everyone involved gets the punishment they deserve.” (👍 12 / 👎 1)
“Why isn’t this trending? You guys harmed him. The media needs to be held accountable.” (👍 12)
“100% sure the only people still believing the groomer allegations are following Google-translated sites.” (👍 12 / 👎 1)
There’s a growing call for legal reform to protect public figures from defamation based on manipulated digital evidence and false media narratives.
Cultural Reflection: Evidence vs. Emotion
This case reflects a significant divide in how scandals are processed culturally. In Korea, public sentiment is highly sensitive to moral issues and reputational damage. However, when evidence fails to materialize, public support can shift swiftly—as seen in this case.
In contrast, global audiences, particularly in the West, place a premium on verifiable evidence over emotional accusations. The presumption of innocence holds firmer, and lawsuits based on defamation or misinformation are less about punishment and more about restoring balance.
At its core, this isn’t just about Kim Soo-hyun. It’s about how easily narratives can be weaponized and reputations destroyed—often with little to no evidence. The rise of AI-generated content and deepfake recordings only complicates the search for truth further. Public trust now hinges not only on facts, but on who controls the story.