Allegations suggesting that actor Kim Soo Hyun was behind a violent attack targeting a whistleblower associated with a recording involving Kim Sae Ron have been officially declared false. Authorities have thoroughly investigated these claims and confirmed that no such incident involving the actor took place. The reports that initially sparked the controversy have now been proven to be baseless.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York issued a statement on May 19, affirming that there had been no reports or notifications of any Korean nationals being involved in serious criminal activities, including attempted murder, in the United States. Such notifications are required under international law, specifically the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and their absence further supports that the claims were unfounded.
The person at the center of the alleged incident, identified only as “A,” had initially stated they were stabbed nine times in the neck by two individuals—one Korean and one Chinese—while in New Jersey. It was claimed that the attack was part of a larger plot involving Kim Soo Hyun. However, local authorities have reported no such case, and the consulate emphasized that there has been no official acknowledgment or documentation of the incident.
YouTuber Kim Se Ui of the Garosero Research Institute held a press event on May 7, asserting that “A” had been attacked and that those responsible had been arrested. He also claimed that FBI data linked the assailants to Kim Soo Hyun via phone records. These bold accusations quickly drew public attention but began to fall apart under scrutiny.
Soon after, discrepancies in the narrative emerged. “A” revised their story, now claiming only to have sustained injuries to the arm. Medical documentation provided showed wounds on the right shoulder and left hand, which were inconsistent with the initial claim of severe neck injuries. This cast further doubt on the credibility of the entire story.
The controversy originated from a digitally manipulated audio clip supposedly given by “A,” in which Kim Sae Ron was heard alleging a relationship with Kim Soo Hyun when she was a minor in 2015. However, journalist and YouTuber Lee Jin Ho presented forensic evidence indicating the clip was likely AI-generated, tampered with background noise, and involved a third-party voice. Lee also alleged that “A” had tried to extort money from both him and Kim Soo Hyun’s representatives. While Kim Soo Hyun’s agency has not officially responded, it is reported that they are actively monitoring the situation.