Police: AI and Fabricated Chats Used in False Kim Soo-hyun Dating Rumors

The Seoul Gangnam Police Station has applied for a detention warrant for Kim Se-ui, CEO of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute. Investigators concluded Kim used AI-generated audio and manipulated text messages to spread false rumors claiming actors Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron dated while the latter was a minor. Despite knowing the claims were untrue, Kim allegedly fabricated evidence to cause harm.

Key Facts

• Police state Kim Se-ui distributed false information for the purpose of slander regarding the actors' relationship status.
• Analysis of 2016 KakaoTalk screenshots revealed Kim edited 11 images of conversations between a deceased individual and an "Unknown" user in seven places.
• The edits involved changing the conversation partner's name to "Kim Soo-hyun" to create fake evidence.
• A May 2023 audio file, featuring a voice claiming to be Kim Sae-ron expressing resentment toward Kim Soo-hyun, was identified by police as a generative AI fabrication.
• The AI-generated audio falsely claimed the two actors had been dating since middle school.

Key Terms

• Garo Sero Institute: A YouTube channel known for reporting on celebrity gossip and political scandals.
• Generative AI: Technology used to synthesize and manipulate voices to create realistic but fake recordings.
• Detention Warrant: A legal order to take a suspect into custody during an investigation.

Key Quote

"Kim Se-ui, representative of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, distributed false facts for the purpose of slander despite knowing that Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Sae-ron did not date during their minor years." — Seoul Gangnam Police Station

Next

• The detention warrant application is currently under review by the prosecution.
• Legal proceedings will address the fabrication and distribution of AI-manipulated content for defamation.