YouTuber arrested over alleged AI defamation of actor

South Korean authorities have arrested a YouTuber accused of using AI-generated material to defame actor Kim Soo-hyun, in a case that has raised fresh concerns about synthetic media and celebrity misinformation.

As the BBC reports, police and prosecutors allege Kim Se-ui, who runs the YouTube channel Hover Lab, manipulated evidence to falsely claim Kim Soo-hyun had dated actress Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor. Kim Soo-hyun has denied the allegation.

The Seoul Central District Court granted an arrest warrant for Kim Se-ui on Tuesday, citing concerns he could destroy evidence or flee. Kim Se-ui has denied the charges and said he plans to lodge complaints against police and prosecutors.

AI-generated audio at centre of case

The claims emerged after Kim Sae-ron died by suicide at the age of 24. Hover Lab later posted a voice recording in which the actress was heard claiming she had dated Kim Soo-hyun since middle school.

Police allege the recording was generated by AI. Authorities also allege screenshots from Kim Sae-ron’s phone were manipulated to make it appear she had exchanged messages with Kim Soo-hyun.

Hover Lab has close to one million subscribers and is known in South Korea for commentary on politics, entertainment and celebrity gossip.

Kim Soo-hyun agency says truth has been proven

Kim Soo-hyun’s agency said in a statement on Wednesday that the “truth has been proven”.

“The investigation confirmed that all suspicions and evidence raised by Hover Lab against Kim Soo-hyun were unfounded,” the agency said, according to the BBC.

The agency also referenced Kim Soo-hyun’s March 2025 press conference, where the actor said he would prove his position rather than ask the public to believe him.

Kim Soo-hyun has not made official public appearances since that press conference. At the time, he said he had dated Kim Sae-ron for one year, but only when she was an adult.

“I can’t admit to something I didn’t do,” he said.

Career impact and legal action

The allegations had a major impact on Kim Soo-hyun’s career in South Korea, where he is a leading television actor and advertising figure.

A police filing reported by JoongAng Ilbo said the claims damaged Kim Soo-hyun’s public standing and commercial activity. Police also said the actor was still receiving psychiatric treatment.

In March 2025, Kim Soo-hyun filed criminal complaints and lawsuits against Kim Se-ui and members of Kim Sae-ron’s family over the accusations.

The case is likely to intensify debate around AI-generated content, defamation, and the responsibilities of high-reach online publishers.

Top image: Kim Soo-hyun

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