The family of deceased actor Kim Sae-ron said they would file a defamation lawsuit against YouTuber Lee Jin-ho.
Kim Sae-ron's family legal representative, attorney Bu Ji-seok of the law firm Bu-yu, noted on the 17th that they would submit a lawsuit against Lee to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for defamation based on false facts. Before filing the lawsuit, they plan to announce their position in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno District, Seoul.
Lee has produced and posted several videos related to the deceased since 2022 on his operating YouTube channel "Entertainment Behind President Lee Jin-ho." The family believes that the videos, which include false information, have damaged the deceased's reputation. After the deceased passed away on the 16th of last month, Lee has made those related videos private and continues his activities.
Attorney Bu explained, "The current issue debated pertains to whether actor Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron dated when they were minors, but the fact that they dated is true," and added, "Lee's report that it was Kim Sae-ron's 'self-dramatization' is clearly a falsehood."
The deceased was found dead at home in Seongdong District, Seoul, on the 16th of last month. Subsequently, the YouTube channel "Garo-sero Research Institute" (Ga-se-yeon) claimed on the 10th that Kim Soo-hyun dated Kim Sae-ron, who was 15 years old at the time, for six years, citing a conversation with Kim Sae-ron's family. Additionally, it was claimed that after Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, paid the penalty of 700 million won that Kim Sae-ron owed to the production company of the drama "Hunting Dogs," they sent a certified mail demanding repayment with a warning that they would pursue legal action if repayment was not made.
In response, Kim Soo-hyun's side countered, "Kim Sae-ron dated for about a year after she became an adult, and the penalty was settled by the company after which it was treated as a loss."
Kim Sae-ron's mother issued a statement demanding a public apology from Kim Soo-hyun and his agency, but Kim Soo-hyun's side responded, "If you contact our office, we will meet and explain."