On March 17, the family of the late Kim Sae-ron officially submitted a legal complaint to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, accusing YouTuber Lee Jin-ho of defamation through the spread of false information. The lawsuit was filed with the support of the family’s legal representatives, including attorney Bu Ji-seok from the law firm Buyu, Kwon Young-chan, head of the Korea Association for Celebrity Suicide Prevention, and Kim Se-ui, head of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Research Institute. Before formally submitting the lawsuit, the legal team held a press conference to share their stance on the case.
During the press conference, Attorney Bu Ji-seok made a strong statement regarding the severity of the situation, saying, “If we could, we’d apply murder charges.” He further emphasized, “It is evident that there is a causal relationship between the false information spread by YouTuber Lee Jin-ho and the passing of the deceased. We hope the court takes this into account during sentencing and imposes the strictest punishment possible.”
Expanding on the allegations against Lee Jin-ho, Attorney Bu explained the circumstances surrounding the late Kim Sae-ron’s decision to post a photo of her former boyfriend, actor Kim Soo-hyun. He stated, “The reason the deceased posted a photo with her former boyfriend, Kim Soo-hyun, was that she had attempted to contact him but received no response. She thought that posting an old photo might get his attention.”
However, he accused Lee Jin-ho of distorting the situation, saying, “Lee Jin-ho denied that they had ever been in a relationship and went even further, spreading false information that made the deceased appear to be a strange person. This caused her extreme mental distress, ultimately leading to her tragic decision.”
Attorney Bu further justified the family’s decision to publicly disclose details about Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun’s past relationship, stating, “To prove that Lee Jin-ho’s claims were false, we had no choice but to reveal their past relationship and release old photos.” He also raised concerns about the possibility of evidence being tampered with, emphasizing, “Deleting the videos constitutes destruction of evidence. We call for a search and seizure operation and for Lee Jin-ho to be taken into custody for investigation.”
As the lawsuit against Lee Jin-ho was being filed, he simultaneously addressed the allegations through his YouTube channel. In his response, Lee Jin-ho firmly denied the accusations, stating, “Not once have I ever said in a video or broadcast that Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun staged an act.” He further asserted his intent to counter the legal claims, saying, “I have no choice but to take legal action as well. I will prove my innocence with the evidence and materials I have.”
While the lawsuit focused on Lee Jin-ho, the legal representatives also shed light on the family’s stance regarding actor Kim Soo-hyun. Attorney Bu disclosed that Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, had sent the late Kim Sae-ron a legal notice not once but twice. He detailed, “After receiving the first notice, the deceased sent Kim Soo-hyun a message pleading for help, but he did not respond. His agency then sent a second legal notice.”
According to Attorney Bu, the second notice contained several demands and restrictions. He revealed, “The second notice demanded that Kim Sae-ron repay a debt within a given period and warned her not to contact Kim Soo-hyun or other actors in the agency directly. It also stated that legal action would be taken over the photo she had posted.”
Kwon Young-chan provided further insight into Kim Sae-ron’s situation at the time, stating, “Kim Sae-ron was preparing to move. While unpacking her stored belongings, she found the second legal notice. It contained warnings that if she posted on social media again, contacted the agency’s actors, or caused any damage to ‘Queen of Tears’ (a drama starring Kim Soo-hyun), she would be held fully liable for compensation.”
Attorney Bu condemned the agency’s actions and questioned their current stance, stating, “One can only imagine the emotional distress the deceased suffered after receiving such legal notices. It is difficult to understand why they are now suddenly issuing public statements, claiming they are waiting to hear from the bereaved family.” He further confirmed that Kim Sae-ron’s family is actively considering legal action against Kim Soo-hyun.
Additionally, Kim Se-ui, head of Garo Sero Research Institute, made a public appeal, urging, “Kim Soo-hyun must acknowledge that he was in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron from 2015, when she was in her second year of middle school, for six years.” He called for a direct and sincere apology from the actor, emphasizing the need for accountability.
As the legal battle unfolds, the late Kim Sae-ron’s family remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice, vowing to hold those they believe contributed to her distress accountable while seeking the truth behind the events leading up to her tragic passing.
