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The controversy surrounding actor Kim Soo Hyun and the YouTube channel Garosero Research Institute intensified yet again on June 13, 2025, when Seoul police were dispatched to the channel’s office in Shinsa-dong. This came shortly after the channel aired a live broadcast that appeared to violate a court-issued provisional stalking order placed to protect the actor.
The broadcast in question featured Kim Soo Hyun’s name prominently in its thumbnail, prompting immediate concern from viewers. Many believed this was a breach of the court’s order, which explicitly bars Kim Se Ui—the face of the Garosero channel—from producing or disseminating content related to the actor. Viewers reacted in real time, reporting the video to local authorities, which triggered a rapid police response.
Police visited the Garosero studio while the broadcast was still ongoing. They confronted Kim Se Ui and issued a verbal warning, reminding him of the terms of the stalking order and advising caution moving forward. Although the interaction was brief, its legal weight was significant. Authorities have not confirmed whether additional legal measures will follow, stating that they are unable to disclose specific details at this time.
Despite the warning, Kim Se Ui responded defiantly during the same live broadcast. Expressing visible frustration, he criticized the police’s intervention, saying, “The police rang the doorbell and interrupted me while I was on a live broadcast. This is an apparent suppression of the press.” His remarks suggest that he views the restrictions placed on him as a violation of his right to report or express commentary—an argument often seen in similar online controversies.
The court’s provisional stalking order against Kim Se Ui had already been imposed by the Seoul Central District Court earlier in the year. It was put in place due to repeated online content from the channel targeting Kim Soo Hyun, many of which made unverified claims. Kim Se Ui had appealed the decision, but the court dismissed the appeal, leaving the original restrictions firmly in place.
The Garosero Research Institute has long been entangled in allegations involving the late actress Kim Sae Ron and her alleged relationship with Kim Soo Hyun. The channel, backed by some members of Kim Sae Ron’s family, claims the two were in a romantic relationship spanning six years—allegedly beginning while the actress was still a minor. These accusations have been forcefully denied by Kim Soo Hyun, who maintains that their relationship lasted for only one year, beginning after she had reached adulthood.
With the police’s intervention now on record and legal scrutiny ongoing, the situation remains volatile. The clash between personal privacy, legal protection, and freedom of expression continues to raise questions in the public domain. Meanwhile, fans of Kim Soo Hyun have rallied behind the actor, urging for greater accountability and legal safeguards in the digital age.