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June 11, 2025 marks a turning point in the legal battle between the actor Kim Soo-hyun (Queen of Tears) to Kim Se-ui, operator of the scandalous YouTube channel Hoverlab (also known as Garosero Research Institute). The Korean courts have authorized the provisional seizure of 2 properties belonging to the YouTuber, at the request of the actor's agency, Gold Medalist.
The Seoul Central District Court's decision concerns two apartments located in the upmarket districts of Seocho and Gangnam. The Seocho property, with an estimated value of 2 billion won (approx. 1.5 million)is entirely owned by Kim Se-ui, while that of Apgujeong (Gangnam), estimated at 8 billion won, is shared with his sister. However, the court validated the seizure of Kim's share, i.e. 50 % of the property.
An affair triggered by controversial accusations
This legal coup de théâtre comes in the context of a high-profile case in South Korea, where the actor is accused by GaroSero and the family of actress Kim Sae-Ron, who died earlier this year, of having had an inappropriate relationship with the late actress when she was a minor. Private messages and even intimate photos were posted on the platform, triggering a wave of reaction and speculation.
Faced with these serious accusations, the actor immediately denied the facts, claiming that his relationship with Kim Sae-ron had only begun after he came of age. He then filed a complaint against Kim Se-ui and members of the actress's family, accusing them of defamation, cyberstalking and unauthorized dissemination of intimate images - serious offences under South Korea's Sex Crimes Act.
A legal and financial battle far from over
In addition to this property seizure, a previous court order, issued on May 20, had already allowed the entry of a donation account used by Hoverlab. In total, Gold Medalist and Kim Soo-hyun are claiming 12 billion won (about $8.7 million) for damages.
"The court's approval of the seizure suggests that the claim for damages and the evidence provided by Gold Medalist were found to be reasonably convincing," Noh Jong-eon of Jonjae Law Firm told Money Today. "However, as a provisional seizure is based solely on documents provided by the plaintiff, the defense's arguments have not yet been taken into account. The final amount could therefore change depending on Kim Se-ui's future statements."
However, the actual recovery of this sum could prove complex. The two apartments targeted by the seizure are already heavily mortgaged to the tune of over 5 billion won, which considerably limits the actual seizable value. What's more, the seizure is provisional, the final amounts will depend on the final judgment.
This case highlights the excesses of certain sensationalist YouTube channels, ready to do anything to generate an audience, even if it means seriously damaging celebrities' reputations.. For Kim Soo-hyun, this decision is a first step towards the recognition of his innocence and the reparation of the harm caused to him.The case was thrown into serious doubt by the dissemination of false AI-generated evidence and Garo Sero's inability to present any real evidence.
While waiting for the next hearings, fans, many of whom have supported the actor since the beginning of the affair, hope that the truth will be re-established, and that the responsibility will be borne by those who have abused their media power.
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