table of content table of content
- The contradictions of the recording presented as Kim Sae-ron's voice
- Lack of plausibility regarding consent to recording
- The argument that «registration is a guarantee of a loan» is unreasonable.
- Unbelievable recognition and memory after 20 years
- Financial difficulties in the United States not very credible
- The mention of a marriage of convenience, a possible retrospective construction
- An artificial construction of the conversation content
- Repeated discrepancies with objective facts
- Physical inconsistencies related to the recording environment
- A defense forced to continue
Nearly 10 months after the beginning of the case involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron and the actor Kim Soo-hyun, the situation remains unchanged in legal terms: Neither the police nor the Korean courts have yet ruled on the matter. on the authenticity of the audio files released by YouTuber Kim Se-ui (Garosero) and the veracity of the accusation, even though public opinion already leans in favor of the actor.
On December 15, 2025, the National Forensic Service acknowledged its technical inability to determine whether the central recording of the case had been tampered with or generated by artificial intelligence. An «undetermined» conclusion that left the debate intact. However, since then, Kim Se-ui has admitted to editing the audio multiple times (about ten times, he said in one of his latest live streams), and this week rebroadcast a long version of about 50 minutes, widely considered by the public to be not credible.
In this context of legal uncertainty, Kim Soo-hyun remains compelled to defend himself publicly. On December 20, her lawyer, Kho Sang-rock, published a lengthy analysis detailing, point by point, the internal contradictions and factual impossibilities of the recording presented as Kim Sae-ron's «real voice.».
The contradictions of the recording presented as Kim Sae-ron's voice
NB: It should be noted that the lawyer also revealed earlier this week that the New Jersey informant who provided Garosero with this audio recording had also previously (shortly before the May 7 press conference based on this audio recording) contacted Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, in order to sell them this audio recording. The content of this audio recording was different from the one presented to Garosero (and this content has since been provided as evidence to the police by the actor's side).
Lack of plausibility regarding consent to recording
«It is difficult to imagine, according to common sense, that a celebrity would accept that extremely private conversations be recorded by a third party.»
On December 20, lawyer Kho Sang-rock pointed out that the comments contained in the audio recording (sexual experiences during childhood, vulgar language, family problems) are likely to cause irreversible damage if they were to be made public. «The person who made the recording was not a trusted relative, but an individual who was found after about 20 years of no contact.»
According to Garosero's version, Kim Sae-ron agreed to this recording in exchange for a loan of $4,500. «To claim that she would have consented to such a recording in exchange for this sum is completely implausible.»
The lawyer also points out that Kim Sae-ron was expressing, at that time, the desire to resume one's career. «To argue that she would have, while being aware of the existence of a recording, repeated statements that made any return impossible is a logical contradiction.»
The argument that «registration is a guarantee of a loan» is unreasonable.
«Evidence of a financial loan can be established by a written contract, messages, or bank transfer statements.» In this context, Kho Sang Rock believes that recording more than an hour of private conversation goes completely beyond standard practice. «To claim that such a recording served as collateral is contrary to standard financial transaction practices.»
Unbelievable recognition and memory after 20 years
According to statements made by the person who recorded this audio, he is said to have lived about 20 years in the United States. «It is accepted that the deceased had no contact with this person since the age of 5, before meeting them again as an adult.»
However, in the account given: «While the individual did not recognize Kim Sae-ron, a well-known actress, she immediately recognized and identified her interlocutor.»
The lawyer considers this scenario contrary to all common experience. «If a close relationship had really existed during childhood, the mother of the deceased, who was then working as a manager, would necessarily have known this person. This element should be investigated.»
Financial difficulties in the United States not very credible
«To claim that a person visiting the United States for a temporary stay would not have made any financial provisions is contrary to common sense.» The alleged absence of any alternative (bank card, account, relatives) is deemed not very convincing by the lawyer.
The mention of a marriage of convenience, a possible retrospective construction
In the audio, there is mention of a marriage of convenience for the purpose of obtaining a resident card. «However, publicly available information indicates that the deceased had a real relationship with her husband, marked by violence and psychological manipulation.»
The lawyer believes that this narrative was added. after the revelation of the husband's existence, in order to deflect criticism. «To argue that a marriage of convenience would have been entered into for a modest sum is contrary to common experience and directly contradicts the fact that the husband is a wealthy man.»
An artificial construction of the conversation content
«The recording addresses, without exception, all of the topics that became controversial after the deceased's death: drunk driving, marriage, family, criticism from the media and YouTubers, and accusations against actor Kim Soo-hyun.»
According to the lawyer: «These elements correspond exactly to the arguments put forward by Garosero and the family.» He adds: «Rather than a spontaneous private conversation, the audio sounds like a fabrication intended to convey controversial points.
Repeated discrepancies with objective facts
Several statements in the audio recording have been identified as factually incorrect: «There is mention of diaries allegedly kept during the relationship, but no such documents have ever been presented.»
The lawyer recalls that the existence of a baby book was first mentioned publicly on March 18, by an unidentified source. «The claim that the deceased did not have a manager contradicts the proven existence of an agency and professional management during that period.»
Regarding the medications she mentions taking in this audio recording: «Xanax is described as a treatment for depression, when in fact it is a medication prescribed for anxiety disorders and panic attacks.»
Physical inconsistencies related to the recording environment
According to the version put forward, the audio was recorded using a device placed in a pocket during a meeting in an open space (a Starbucks in New Jersey). «However, only the female voice is audible, recorded with consistent clarity and a proximity equivalent to that of a professional microphone.»
The lawyer highlights the repeated absence of ambient noise: «In a public place such as a Starbucks, it would be inevitable to pick up music, conversations, or surrounding sounds. The almost total absence of these elements is difficult to reconcile with the recording conditions described.»
A defense forced to continue
While its authenticity is widely questioned, the absence of an official position from the judiciary always forces Kim Soo-hyun to respond publicly to unresolved accusations.
This new statement by his lawyer comes at a time when, in the absence of clear legal conclusions, the debate continues in the media, leaving the actor exposed to a case whose outcome remains unknown to this day.
The conclusion of the police investigation, announced several weeks ago as imminent, will be decisive in determining whether this case can finally move beyond speculation and be based on established facts.
In any case, this case is dragging on and raising many questions worldwide about the effectiveness and willingness of the Korean police to deal with it properly.
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